Wreaths are placed at the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day. [The Royal Canadian Legion]
As Canada’s largest veteran support and community service organization, The Royal Canadian Legion’s impact can be seen across the country, from its more than 270,000-strong membership to its iconic national Poppy Campaign.
This past year had several highlights, including an increase in membership for the fourth consecutive year, welcoming the first para athlete to the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, a strengthened relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) and a record-breaking Poppy Campaign.
SERVING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
“A simple ‘thank you’ seems so inadequate for the work that you and the Legion do for veterans.” Such gratitude from those helped by the Legion is a reminder of the importance of its work.
In 2025, the Legion’s national and provincial service officers helped thousands of veterans in navigating benefits and appeal processes with Veterans Affairs Canada, providing emergency funds for food and housing and connecting veterans to peer-support programs. These undertakings can be daunting to navigate alone and the Legion’s officers assist at no cost, member or not. Last year, national service officers handled additional cases from provincial commands facing staff shortages.
Other important work accomplished by the national veterans services department: the implementation of a new process with VAC to electronically submit paperwork, eliminating postage costs and delays; sharing its services with a wider group, including RCMP, VAC, the Defence Department and the public; and signing a memorandum of understanding with the CAF TG, which will allow Legion service officers to work at transition support centres across Canada to provide assistance for VAC claims and benefits.
Delegates from more than 35 countries pose for a photo in Ottawa last summer during the 35th RCEL conference.[Richard Lawrence]
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND HOSTING THE RCEL
The Legion’s reach extended internationally again with its work as a member of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL), assisting veterans and their widows in the Caribbean. In 2025, the Legion, through the RCEL, provided veterans and widows with support to cover two meals per day. The Legion also provided financial support to veterans for other essentials, such as medical expenses and mobility devices. As the North American contact for commonwealth veterans and widows, the Legion also co-ordinated the disbursal of RCEL funds to British veterans and widows living in Canada.
During summer 2025, the Legion hosted the 35th RCEL conference, welcoming delegates from more than 35 Commonwealth countries. The Legion also established an agreement with The Royal British Legion to help co-ordinate applications for British veterans in Canada who require financial assistance from the U.K.
RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION
Evidence-based research helps Canada implement new tools to assist veterans. In collaboration with the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research, the Legion awarded its $50,0000 PhD research scholarship to Kim Huynh, a student from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. Huynh is researching how repeated non-concussive head impacts from firearm recoil affects the brain physiology of military personnel. The findings “may help diagnose non-concussive injuries, improving long-term brain health in high-risk roles.”
In advocacy work, National Headquarters made recommendations to numerous groups, including VAC, the RCMP and on behalf of the Veterans Consultation Assembly, which it leads. In 2025, the latter shared Legion’s three main recommendations with the minister of Veterans Affairs: implement recommendations from the 2024 Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the Persian Gulf War; establish a national monument to recognize women who have served in the CAF and RCMP; and recognize RCMP members as veterans for commemoration purposes.
THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE LEGION
Marketing and communications efforts helped raise the Legion’s profile in advance of its 100th anniversary, including a national collaboration with Ford Dealers of Canada—the Legion’s official partner for its centenary. In addition, promotional materials and media plans helped further spotlight anniversary celebrations to a wider audience.
In 2025, the Legion was covered by Canadian media relating to a variety of issues, including the federal budget, the national Poppy Campaign and Poppy Store products. During summer 2025, large banners highlighting the Legion’s work were displayed near the National War Memorial. The organization also launched an awareness campaign warning veterans of groups and individuals seeking remuneration for applying for VAC benefits or handling appeals on their behalf—services the Legion and VAC provide for free.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONS
“[It was] a monumental year of continued organizational growth, remembrance, and global collaboration as we strategically prepared for the launch and celebration of our centenary,” said RCL National Executive Director Randy Hayley of 2025, which marked the fourth consecutive year of membership growth. That’s poised to continue in 2026 with a free membership offer. That initiative added nearly 50,000 new members by March.
The membership department also introduced new digital tools for members, including an auto-renewal option, training videos, digital membership cards, system testing and improvements, and responsive service specialists. Despite major postal strikes and increased tariffs, the Legion’s online Poppy Store achieved its highest ever annual revenue in 2025, shipping more than 400,000 packages and 790 unique products, including 100th anniversary-branded items.
Planning continues for the 2026 Dominion Convention in Winnipeg, the Legion’s birthplace. Hundreds of delegates from across the country are expected to attend to vote on resolutions, take part in discussions and celebrate 100 years of service.
Dominion President Berkley Lawrence speaks with the CBC on Nov. 11. [Graham Bond]
PROMOTING REMEMBRANCE & NATIONAL POPPY CAMPAIGN
The Legion continues to play a leading role in Canadian remembrance. In late spring 2025, a commemoration was held to mark the 25th anniversary of Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial brought to fruition through the work of the Legion, its former national secretary, retired brigadier-general Duane Daly, and government partners.
“And so, today, encased in granite, and under the secure cover of his helmet and sword, our soldier lies in peace,” said Daly, who spoke at the VAC-led anniversary event alongside Dominion President Berkley Lawrence, Grand President Larry Murray and national communications manager Nujma Bond, who emceed the ceremony. The proceedings recognized the tomb’s importance as a symbol of service, sacrifice and remembrance.
In November 2025, the Legion once again organized and presented Canada’s national Remembrance Day ceremony, which attracted more than 30,000 to the National War Memorial in Ottawa and millions watched the live broadcast.
As part of the national Poppy Campaign, the Legion renewed its collaboration with Amazon Canada and delivered more than 50,000 poppies—twice as many as the previous year—and other remembrance items to people’s doorsteps. Eighty per cent of those orders came from areas without Legion branches and every dollar earned went directly to the poppy fund.
The Legion also distributed more than 2,300 tap-to-donate poppy boxes across Canada, an increase of almost 20 per cent from 2024. The Royal Bank of Canada covered the cost of the boxes. In total, this initiative raised a record-setting $855,000 in 2025. Other corporate supporters were also instrumental to the campaign’s success.
Funds raised helped support veteran initiatives, such as The Pepper Pod health and wellness retreat centre for women and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada’s online mental health workshops, which each received $90,000.
SUPPORTING YOUTH AND PROMOTING CAMARADERIE THROUGH SPORT
The 2025 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium attracted the largest field ever, more than 1,000 athletes, including the competition’s first para athlete. Feedback from parents was positive, with many saying the games help bridge the gap between high school and the next level of competition. The 2026 games will be held in Regina.
Legion national sports champ-ionships also took place in several cities, with titles awarded in cribbage, darts and eight ball.
The Poppy Store released new products, including this pin, to commemorate the Legion’s centenary. [The Royal Canadian Legion]
LOOKING AHEAD
Throughout the year, the Legion will continue its centenary celebrations with special events, commemorative items in the Poppy Store and youth-focused projects. On July 17, the Legion’s official 100th birthday, the organization will host a national event in Ottawa, as well as commemorations at branches across the country.
The Poppy Store is also launching new centenary-branded products along with an improved customer experience. An anticipated influx of new members will keep the membership department busy, along with efforts to make the experience more efficient. The Poppy Campaign and remembrance work will include expanded youth-focused projects, while veterans services is creating a new service officer handbook.
In 2025, The Royal Canadian Legion helped thousands of veterans and their families, shared the importance of remembrance and prepared for its centenary, thanks to its members, volunteers, supporters, community and corporate partners. Here’s to the next 100 years.
Athletes compete at the 2025 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships. [The Royal Canadian Legion]
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