Outgoing executive officers of The Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command, led by incoming Dominion President Sharon McKeown, march in a remembrance parade before the convention. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
The original old boys would undoubtedly be proud. A little more than 100 years after the so-called unity conference of Great War veterans was held at Winnipeg’s Marlborough Hotel, nearly 1,000 Legionnaires gathered again in Manitoba’s capital to celebrate the centenary of the organization their forefathers formed and to conduct business at their 50th biennial convention.
“Stepping into the role of Dominion president is a privilege beyond measure,” said Sharon McKeown shortly after she was installed in the event’s closing ceremony. “It’s a responsibility I won’t take lightly, particularly as we enter a new century devoted to caring for our veterans, upholding remembrance and strengthening local communities.”
During her inaugural remarks, she reminisced about her own old boys, the Second World War veterans who had welcomed her into the organization in the early 1990s and “educated me on everything Legion and relevant to their day.”
“My old boys taught me of sacrifice, not for self, but for others,” McKeown continued. “Of service to country and community, and of the debt we all owe to those who gave, or were prepared to give, their all for others—for our way of life.
“I believe the tradition of self-sacrifice for the greater good is equally as strong as in those serving today as in those who served in earlier generations.”
Attendees of the Legion’s first convention 100 years ago pose for a photo. [LM Archive]
Attendees of the Legion’s centenary gala, including 100-year-old Second World War veteran and Legionnaire Una Golding. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Four days earlier, on Aug. 22, some 1,200 Legionnaires and family members gathered for a gala dinner in honour of The Royal Canadian Legion’s century of service at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, which also hosted the convention itself.
The Royal Canadian Navy Band of HMCS Chippawa, the local stone frigate, entertained guests as they mingled before a three-course meal. After dinner, the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band marched to the centre of the room and performed, then Legion Grand President Larry Murray and outgoing national President Berkley Lawrence provided remarks.
Legion Grand President Larry Murray. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Legion Dominion President Berkley Lawrence. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Lawrence ended the evening’s formalities with a series of traditional salutes, including the loyal toast, the fallen comrades toast and The Royal Canadian Legion toast.
The following morning, hundreds of Legionnaires from across the country paraded half a kilometre from the Manitoba Legislative Building north up Memorial Boulevard to the Winnipeg Cenotaph, where a short commemorative ceremony took place.
After O Canada, Last Post, a moment of silence, Lament and Rouse, President Lawrence recited the “Act of Remembrance” in English and Grand President Murray did likewise in French. Colonel Lisa Pacarynuk, the Canadian Armed Forces’ chaplain general, delivered the invocation.
Wreaths were then placed by Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville, 2020 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Debbie Sullivan, Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight, Brigadier-General Serge Ménard on behalf of the CAF, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, Manitoba MLA David Pankratz, Winnipeg’s Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers, Lawrence on behalf of the Legion and Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Command President Robert Cutbush.
Chaplain Chuck Ross delivered the benediction before a rendition of God Save The King concluded the ceremony.
The convention had begun informally earlier on Aug. 22 with workshops and presentations at the venue, and Dominion Command hosting discussions on the organization’s essential veterans services, modernizing systems for engaging with and retaining its members, the national poppy campaign, and officially launching an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) program.
Meanwhile, some 50 exhibitors hosted booths in the convention centre’s Hall B. The convention itself was held in the 4,370-square-metre Hall A.
The event’s opening ceremony was held early in the afternoon on Aug. 23. After special guests and the Legion’s senior officers were piped in, all assembled rose to welcome 104-year-old Len Van Roon, a local D-Day veteran, with an extended ovation. Lt.-Gov. Neville then provided welcoming remarks.
“The Royal Canadian Legion has become one of the country’s most respected and enduring institutions,” said Neville. “For a century, it has championed veterans and their families, supported military and RCMP members, promoted remembrance, and strengthened communities from coast to coast to coast.”
In her keynote address that followed, Veterans Affairs Minister McKnight told Legionnaires she wanted to speak to them “as someone who’s life has been shaped by the Legion.” She spoke of her personal connections to what locals call the Ladner Legion in her hometown of Delta, B.C.
“It’s a place where volunteers connect, where neighbours become friends and where service continues long after a uniform comes off,” noted McKnight.
D-Day veteran Len Van Roon, age 104, attends the convention’s opening ceremony. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
The Honourable Philip Astor, grandson of Field Marshal Douglas Haig. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
“Haig was emphatic that a single, united voice would be more effective in securing proper care and benefits and, quite simply, recognition for veterans.”
“My grandmother volunteered with the ladies auxiliary at Branch 57 in Mission, B.C.,” McKnight continued. “As a child, I watched her help organize fundraising events and support the work of the branch. At the time, I didn’t understand the significance of what she was doing. But now I realize she was teaching me that some of the most important acts of service may also be the quietest.”
McKnight was followed by a very special guest, the Honourable Philip Astor, grandson of Field Marshal Douglas Haig. Haig commanded the British Expeditionary Force for much of the Great War and was instrumental afterward in the formation of the Canadian Legion.
“From the beginning, Haig was emphatic that a single, united voice would be more effective in securing proper care and benefits and, quite simply, recognition for veterans,” relayed Astor. “In Canada, there were 15 veterans’ organizations. Haig undertook to do whatever he could to help remedy the situation.
“In Ottawa,” Astor continued, “the field marshal addressed more than 3,000 former service members, telling them, ‘I’m quite sure that if your different societies come into a single organization, its influence for the good of ex-servicemen and of Canada, will be something far more, far wider and far greater.’ When the time came, the representatives all agreed to form the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.”
In concluding his address, Astor declared the convention officially open.
Grand President Murray kicked off formal convention business with a summary of recent highlights from his role, including the June 2025 ceremony recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the 35th conference of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) in Ottawa that summer, and the presentation of the 100th veteran service dog through an Ontario Command program at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa in February 2026.
“As we enter our second century of service to Canada and Canadians, I believe it is most important for us to pause, reflect and take pride in all that has been achieved by the Legion since 1926,” said Murray. “I think we also need to commit to maintaining the same dedication and can-do spirit with respect to ensuring the health and well-being of our veterans and their families, to providing a beacon for remembrance across the country and to selflessly serving our communities with a generous spirit.”
For his part, outgoing president Lawrence similarly summarized top moments from his two-year tenure, noting the many amazing people he had met in fulfilling his role. He also mentioned a particularly poignant personal moment: when his daughter Teri called him to say she had joined the Legion.
“Talk about a proud father,” said Lawrence.
“She said, ‘yes, and they gave me a job.’
“I said, ‘Well, that’s not news. What’d they give you?”
“‘I’m the campaign poppy chair.’ I almost dropped the phone,” said the affable Lawrence to a hearty laugh from delegates who know only too well the many challenges of that key fundraising position.
“My old boys taught me of sacrifice, not for self, but for others. Of service to country and community.”
New Dominion President Sharon McKeown addresses delegates. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Convention delegates got down to serious business themselves the following morning, starting with the election of their new national president. McKeown, a life member of Pte. Joe Waters Branch in Milton, Ont., and the incumbent first vice, was acclaimed to the position, as is tradition.
Dominion Past President Bruce Julian is presented the Veterans Ombud Commendation by Veterans Ombud Nishika Jardine. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
Executive elections continued through days 2 and 3 of the convention. The 878 accredited delegates plus 2,658 proxies totalled a voting strength of 3,536.
Sitting vice-presidents Trevor Jenvenne of Lac du Bonnet, Man., Branch, Valerie MacGregor of the Vancouver TVS Branch and Jack MacIsaac of Charlottetown Branch were nominated for first vice. On the second ballot, MacIsaac was elected.
Jenvenne and MacGregor were then included for the three vice-president positions along with additional nominees Derek Moore of Capt. Fred Campbell VC Branch in Mount Forest and immediate past president of Ontario Command, and Danny Redden of Vancouver TVS Branch and president of the Legion’s Tuberculosis Veterans’ Section. MacGregor and Moore were elected on the first ballot, while Jenvenne prevailed on the second.
Sitting treasurer Jill Carleton of Perth-Upon-Tay Branch in Perth, Ont., vied for another term against Glenn Hodge, a past president of B.C./Yukon Command, and current president of Trail, B.C., Branch. Carleton was tabbed for another term. Meanwhile, chair Bill Chafe of Sarnia, Ont., Branch, was the only nominee for that position and was acclaimed to serve a fifth consecutive term.
Guest speakers, special presentations and committee reports punctuated the voting process throughout the convention.
Attendees heard addresses from RCMP Assistant Commissioner McMurchy; Brigadier-General Ménard; Veterans Ombud Nishika Jardine; 2020 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Sullivan; Alan Mulawyshyn, executive director of Veterans’ House Canada; Jennifer Bennett of Canada’s Cadets Leagues; Major David Thompson, secretary general of the RCEL; John Goheen, Legion pilgrimage guide; and Caitlin Bailey, area director for Canada, Americas and Pacific area of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Leaders from other Legions around the world also spoke to offer congratulations on the organization’s milestone, including Mark Atkinson, director general of the Royal British Legion; Claire Armstrong, chief executive officer of the Royal British Legion Scotland; and Dan Wiley, national commander of the American Legion.
“Service, sacrifice, honour and pride, those are values that run deep with our two Legions,” said Wiley in an address that seemed to be met well by delegates considering U.S.-Canada political tensions.
Several special presentations were made during business, too. Dominion past president Bruce Julian was presented the Veterans Ombud Commendation for “his tenacity and enthusiasm for helping veterans and their families.” And Grand President Murray received a plaque commemorating his lifetime membership in the Legion.
Grand President Murray receives a plaque in recognition of his lifetime membership from former Dominion presidents Lawrence, Dave Flannigan, Tom Eagles and Julian. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
The Legion similarly honoured several partner groups, including Amazon (for its free support of lapel poppy distribution and contribution to protecting the poppy trademark), Ford dealers of Canada (for donating an F-150 pickup as a centenary membership prize) and BMO (for its decades of support to Canada’s defence community).
“Legion branches have always been more than meeting halls,” said Mike Bonner, head of Canadian personal and business banking at BMO, in a sincere address. “They are places where people gather, service is honoured, loneliness is broken, and where the idea of Canada is lived in practical ways.”
Perhaps the biggest partner presentation, however, was the unveiling of a Legion centenary-themed circulation toonie by the Royal Canadian Mint. The coin boasts artwork by Vladyslava Pashchenko of Calgary, winner of the 2023 senior colour poster category in the Legion National Foundation’s National Youth Remembrance Contests.
2023 National Youth Remembrance Contest winner Vladyslava Pashchenko poses with a display of the circulation toonie commemorating the Legion’s centenary that features her artwork.[Aaron Kylie/LM]
Reports and related budgets, meanwhile, were presented by each committee chair, including Veterans, Service and Seniors; Poppy and Remembrance; Membership; Sports; Defence and Security; Rituals, Awards and Protocol; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and others.
Dominion Treasurer Carleton presented the financial statements, including the statement of revenue and expenses. The 2025 year ended with net revenue of $414,956, down from $897,242 the previous year. Carleton noted the decrease was primarily due to lower poppy and wreath sales and the higher costs of those goods. In projecting future budgets, she indicated rising operating costs, driven by inflation and higher expenses related to freight, technology, utilities, insurance and staffing, will keep budget surpluses relatively modest.
“Overall,” wrote Carleton in her report, “the organization remains financially stable and well positioned to continue supporting veterans, members, and communities across Canada.”
Jack MacIsaac, chair of the membership committee, reported that the strategic goal of 300,000 members set in 2018 had been reached this past May. He noted that membership was projected to grow further before the end of the year, marking a fifth consecutive year of increases, with the centenary initiative of free new membership a key to the most recent growth. Some 118,000 fresh members had joined in 2026 as of August. (Total paid membership for 2025 was 270,724.)
Of particular note of the newbies: 15 per cent are 40 or younger, about 21 per cent are 45 or younger and some 28 per cent are 50 or younger.
“The moment has arrived to begin the process of refining our vision, re-evaluating our initiatives and objectives,” said new President McKeown in concluding her introductory address, harkening to the evolving membership.
“And though we don’t see them,” said McKeown, “my parents, my departed family, friends and my old boys are smiling down on us.”
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