Nestled in the hills of British Columbia’s southern interior is a place partly known for bringing things together. Often, it’s a confluence of rivals for one of more than 100 tournaments the area hosts annually; but it’s also where the mighty North and South Thompson rivers meet. On June 6-8, The Royal Canadian Legion’ British Columbia/Yukon Command gathered in Kamloops, B.C., for its 56th convention.
Representatives of Legion branches from the southern coast of Canada’s westernmost province up to the glacial territory of the Yukon met to determine a new executive, discuss the group’s state of affairs and to vote on new bylaws.
Before the Legionnaires got down to business, however, they convened at city hall, where deputy mayor Mike O’Reilly presented B.C./Yukon Command the “Freedom of the City,” Kamloops’ highest honour. The group then paraded to the city’s Cenotaph in Riverside Park for a brief remembrance service.
With scorching hot temperatures reaching close to 40 C as business sessions kicked off the following day, the air conditioning inside the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre kept delegates cool-headed throughout the productive, though at times emotional, convention. The event’s tone and purpose was set early by outgoing President Craig Thomson of the host branch.
“I remind all members, our mission statement is to serve veterans, their families and our communities,” said Thomson in his opening address. “If our mission statement is not the reason for you being a Legion member, you should rethink why you are a member.”
Thomson stressed the importance of the organization’s mission because of challenges threatening to impact the vitality of its branches.
“If this trend continues,” warned Thomson, “it could erode all the hard work the Legion has accomplished over the past 100 years.”
Indeed, Thomson highlighted the 2023 opening of Legion Veterans Village at Whalley Branch in Surrey, B.C., and its associated Centre of Clinical Excellence, as the kind of accomplishments resulting from the extraordinary efforts of Legion members.
In the keynote address, Veterans Ombud Nishika Jardine updated attendees on her office’s latest work in championing for the well-being of veterans and their families. Meanwhile, Dominion First Vice Sharon McKeown, on hand to represent national HQ, spoke to the convention about the latest Legion developments across the country. She later oversaw the installation of new officers. Other special guests at the convention included Ontario Command President Lynn McClellan and his provincial executive director Pamela Sweeny and, in one of his final acts of office, Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Command President Ernie Tester.
Dominion First Vice Sharon McKeown (right), pictured here at the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League convention in Ottawa in July 2025, represented national command at the B.C./Yukon convention and oversaw the installation of officers. [Courtesy of Sharon McKeown]
Hodge also briefed delegates on the latest poppy campaign. “Our Branches collectively raised an impressive $8,353,361 in poppy donations [in 2023 and 2024]. Of this amount, $5,402,943 was disbursed in the form of grants to veterans and their families, bursaries, donations, and special use expenditures,” he noted. “This represents a 13 per cent increase in total poppy donations.”
Having joined B.C./Yukon Command in May 2023, executive director Michelle Courtney presented a new strategic plan, which aims to grow membership, develop and conduct more branch training and implement greater support for branches. (As part of the convention, attendees had the opportunity to attend a full day of training sessions.)
In her report, constitution and laws committee chair Karen Kuzek observed the group has been busy dealing with a steady increase in complaints and requests to amend certain laws. The number of complaints went from 11 in 2023 to 32 in 2024, with nine in 2025 at the time of the early May convention.
As the RCL gets set to celebrate its centenary in 2026, B.C./Yukon Command is getting creative with membership initiatives. Membership committee chair Barry Young presented a couple of the ideas in his report. First is Find the Poppy, a contest to promote increased readership of the command’s “Blazer” newsletter. The bulletin currently has about 2,500 readers, but Young is keen to have all members sign up to receive it.
Command has also created a social media graphic and other information for the public, which will be available to each branch. The goal is a top-quality, consistent social media message across branches that aims to attract new members and communicate with current members more clearly.
Bob Underhill is installed as president of B.C./Yukon Command (left) at the organization’s 56th convention in Kamloops, B.C.[Michael A. Smith/LM]
“I would like to commend all members of the Legion who have taken on added responsibility on behalf of the branches. Their work is invaluable.”
Other topics that garnered much interest, and sparked the most discussion, were veteran homelessness and mental health and addictions issues, along with what the Legion is doing, and could be doing, on these fronts. B.C./Yukon Command has prioritized establishing its Operation Leave the Streets Behind program during the last few years, and while it faced some challenges early on, mainly due to costs, it’s now fully operational. Indeed, transitional housing for veterans experiencing homelessness in Victoria is now at full capacity, so there’s a need for still more assistance. It’s estimated there are some 2,600 veterans experiencing homelessness in B.C.
Meanwhile, a survey of veterans experiencing homelessness in the Yukon was conducted and identified at least 145 individuals.
During the course of business, elections were held for a new executive. Bob Underhill of B.C./Yukon Command Branch was acclaimed president. As he has moved up the ranks over the years, Underhill helped oversee development, and he thanked those who worked to ensure business went smoothly.
“I would like to commend all members of the Legion who have taken on added responsibility on behalf of the branches,” said Underhill. “Their work is invaluable.”
Delegates participate in a remembrance service in Memorial Park prior to the event.[Michael A. Smith/LM]
Gary Peters of Seaview Centennial Branch in Lantzville, B.C., beat out Dale Johnston of Cloverdale Branch in Surrey, John Scott of Prince George, B.C., Branch and Norman Scott of Prince Edward Branch in Victoria for first vice. Karen Kuzek of Mission City Branch in Mission was re-elected to one of the two vice-president positions and Dwight Grieve of Malahat Branch in Shawnigan Lake, B.C., took the second VP spot. Brenda Thomson of Kamloops Branch was elected chair, while Hodge of Trail, B.C., Branch held onto his role as treasurer.
The organization’s finances were reported to be in order based on a review of the independent auditor’s report conducted by Clearline CPA. The audit showed revenues increased in 2024 over 2023, although so did expenses. Net assets continued to rise by more than $1 million. And net revenue over total expenses also increased. It was, however, encouraged that branches stay up-to-date on safety regulations and do regular inspections.
As for the future, one member surmised: “I don’t think we can do anything better to help veterans than to get one off the street. They are at their lowest point after giving their all for us. Should we not be able to give our all to them?”
Advertisement
