Legionnaires march toward Market Square in Saint John, N.B[Aaron Kylie/LM]

The convention began informally on Saturday, Aug. 24, with workshops and presentations, with Dominion Command hosting discussions on the national poppy campaign and the Legion’s poppy trademark, an introduction to the organization’s veterans’ services, a session on its path to 300,000 members, and dialogue about marketing and communication branch-support initiatives, while The Legion National Foundation, RCL’s charitable arm, shared details of its recent work.

Legionnaires march toward Market Square in Saint John, N.B. prior to opening their 49th national convention.[Aaron Kylie/LM]

Dominion President Bruce Julian, New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Brenda L. Murphy and 100-year-old WW II veteran George Cooper review the parade. [Aaron Kylie/LM]

A wide range of exhibitors hosted booths on the mezzanine level at TD Station arena, the 6,000-plus-seat home of the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Saint John Sea Dogs. The convention itself was held on the arena floor. 

The following morning, some 500 Legionnaires from across the country paraded from the intersection of Prince William and Princess streets to Market Square in front of Saint John City Hall. A short commemorative ceremony took place there.

Some 500 Legionnaires from across the country paraded to Market Square in front of Saint John City Hall.

After “O Canada,” “Last Post,” a moment of silence, “Lament” and “Rouse,” Dominion President Bruce Julian recited the “Act of Remembrance.” Chaplin Peter Gillies of the Legion’s N.B. Command delivered the invocation. Wreaths were placed by N.B. Lieutenant Governor Brenda L. Murphy, 2020-21 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Debra Sullivan, MP Wayne Long on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada, Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP Assistant Commissioner DeAnna Hill, New Brunswick’s Minister of Service and minister responsible for military affairs Mary Wilson, Saint John Mayor Donna Noade Reardon, Julian on behalf of the RCL and N.B. Command President Antonin Chevalier.

Gillies delivered the benediction before a rendition of “God save the King” concluded the ceremony. The Legionnaires then paraded down Water Street reviewed by LG Murphy and 100-year-old WW II veteran George Cooper.

The convention kicked off at noon at TD Station with an hour-long entertainment prelude featuring Before the Mast, a local a cappella folk and traditional group, and the community concert Saint Mary’s Band. After special guests and the Legion’s senior officers were piped in, Murphy provided welcoming remarks, as did Minister Wilson, Mayor Reardon and President Chevalier. 

Then Chair Bill Chafe officially opened the convention, noting he had three goals for the event: to successfully complete the business at hand; to ensure that delegates enjoy their experience; and to encourage attendees to acknowledge the hard work of the local arrangements committee led by Terry Campbell and represented on stage by the affable Bernier (Bernie) Cormier.

Grand President Larry Murray then addressed delegates in a video message.

“I’m really sorry that my ongoing medical treatment prevents me from being with you in person, nevertheless, I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to deliver my own remarks,” he said. “This is an important gathering. What really matters is the magnificent manner in which Legion branches and commands have provided support to countless communities across the country.

The newly elected Dominion Command executive, including President Berkley Lawrence, First Vice John Mahon, vice presidents Garry Pond, Sharon McKeown and Valerie MacGregor, Chair Bill Chafe and Immediate Past President Bruce Julian (Treasurer Jill Carleton was not present).[Aaron Kylie/LM]

“A critical initiative of the past year,” noted Murray, “included trying to establish the necessary foundation to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across the Legion. This important initiative is simply all about the creation of a commonsense Legion version of the golden rule: all of us simply need to try to treat others the way we would all like to be treated ourselves.

“Recent Legion history is impressive,” concluded Murray. “And you were, and are, a part of that story and should take considerable pride in that. You and The Royal Canadian Legion have been living the motto of this convention, building our future on a foundation of strength.”

President Julian addressed delegates next, detailing highlights of his three-year term. “At our last in-person dominion convention in 2018, you said yes to moving our organization forward with our new strategic plan. Since that time, we’ve seen incredible progress. And that’s despite pandemic shutdowns and challenges that were discussed at our virtual 2021 convention.”

“What really matters is the magnificent manner in which Legion branches and commands have provided support to countless communities across the country.”

Like Murray, Julian also noted the equity, diversity and inclusion initiative, as well as the Legion’s support of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, the success of the Legion’s Poppy Store, the support of young people through the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships and partnerships such as the Burns Way, an innovative mental health resource for veterans, among many other achievements. 

“I’m kind of proud to be at the helm during this time where we started to see the results and progress,” he continued. “In fact, I’d like to take all the credit, but you know that’s not true. It’s taken years of the leadership of many dominion presidents to achieve these results.”

Julian then acknowledged the past dominion presidents in attendance, including: Immediate Past President Tom Irvine; Allan Parks, the first associate member elected to the role; Mary Ann Misfeldt, the first women to serve in the position; Jack Frost; Tom Eagles; and Dave Flannigan.

The convention’s first day ended with the start of the elections, which continued through days 2 and 3 amid guest speakers and committee reports. First introduced at the 2021 virtual convention out of necessity, delegates again voted electronically, this time through a dedicated smartphone/tablet app.

Thanks in large part to the tech, the event was largely paperless, with the app providing details on the agenda, caucus meetings, workshops, the convention book, the commemorative ceremony, local branch entertainment, guest speakers, exhibitors and more. The only paper materials were the daily updated procedure reports.

The 742 accredited delegates plus 2,283 proxies totalled a voting strength of 3,025. Delegates without an appropriate device for voting were loaned one, and there was technical support on hand to deal with any challenges voters had with the system. While about three dozen delegates required assistance on the first ballot, they were helped quickly, and fewer delegates needed guidance on each subsequent vote. The system was well received. 

Julian was nominated for another term as president, but as is customary, he graciously declined. First Vice President Berkley Lawrence of Carbonear, N.L., Branch and Vice-President Brian Weaver of Capt. Brien Branch in Wessex, Ont., were also nominated. Weaver declined and Lawrence was acclaimed as dominion president.

Convention speakers included Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor[Aaron Kylie/LM]

Veterans Ombud Nishika Jardine[Aaron Kylie/LM]

2020-21 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Debra Sullivan. [Aaron Kylie/LM]

Vice-presidents Jack MacIsaac of Charlottetown Branch, Sharon McKeown of Pte. Joe Water Branch in Milton, Ont., and Weaver, along with three immediate past provincial command presidents—John Mahon of High River, Alta., Branch, Ken Ouellet of Lacolle, Que., Branch, and Garry Pond of Carleton Place, Ont., Branch—were nominated for First Vice. On the fourth ballot, Mahon was elected.

MacIsaac, McKeown, Ouellet, Pond and Weaver were then included for three vice-president positions with other nominees: Valerie MacGregor of Powell River, B.C., Branch, incumbent Treasurer Donna McRury of Whitney Pier Branch in Sydney, N.S., and Steve Stamhuis of Leduc, Alta., Branch. McRury chose not to stand, while Weaver declined the nomination, noting that after serving the Legion for 50-plus-years it was time to step aside. MacGregor, McKeown and Pond were tabbed.

McRury and Stamhuis were nominated for treasurer, as were B.C./Yukon Command President Craig Thompson of Crescent Branch in Surrey, B.C., and Jill Carleton of Perth-Upon-Tay Branch in Perth, Ont. McRury again chose not to stand, and Carleton was elected.

Chafe of Sarnia, Ont., Branch was acclaimed for another term as chair.

Guest presentations and committee reports punctuated the voting process through the convention. Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor was one of the event’s keynote speakers, addressing delegates on the final day.

“I’ve heard that [the government] can do a better job of recognizing today’s veterans without losing sight of our past,” she noted. “On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, one of the striking moments was seeing the bond between Second World War veterans and younger veterans grow stronger. They exchanged stories and thanked each other for their service to Canada. That’s what I see as our core mission: to honour and support veterans who have served our country no matter when or where.

“Thanks to the strength and commitment of partners like you,” the minister told the Legionnaires, “we can reach and connect with veterans in every corner of the country.”

Other speakers included: CAF Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann; Veterans Ombud Nishika Jardine; 2020-21 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Debra Sullivan; Wounded Warriors Canada’s Director Health Services Phil Ralph; the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League’s Libby Watkins (who received $100,000-plus in donations from delegates on behalf of the Legion); and the Army Cadet League of Canada’s Robert Gill.

The Legion’s Pilgrimage of Remembrance guide John Goheen[Aaron Kylie/LM]

Dr. Ramesh Zacharias all spoke at the convention.[Aaron Kylie/LM]

Retired master corporal Mike Trauner [Aaron Kylie/LM]

Newly elected President Lawrence addresses delegates.[Aaron Kylie/LM]

While all the guests were compelling, four were particularly noteworthy:

John MacBeth, founder of Trycycle Data Systems, shared details of The Burns Way, a new peer support digital chat platform that allows veterans to anonymously connect in real time, 24-7, with mental health advocates via smartphone or desktop browsers;

Retired master corporal Michael Trauner, an Invictus Games gold medallist, the Legion’s first-ever ambassador for its youth track and field championships and a veterans’ advocate, spoke candidly about his service in Afghanistan, including the improvised explosive device explosion in which he lost parts of both his legs;

Todd Ross of Rainbow Veterans of Canada related how his three years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces came to an abrupt end in May 1990 at the age of 21 during the country’s purge of 2SLGBTQ2+ from public service;

And Dr. Ramesh Zacharias, president, CEO and medical director of the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans, discussed the connections between chronic pain and mental health. “One of the interesting things about the last 12 years of treating veterans,” related Dr. Zacharias, “is that you cannot separate the mental health issues from chronic pain. They’re two sides of the same coin. Sixty-two per cent of veterans with chronic pain have mental health issues. We can do better.”

“Thanks to the strength and commitment of partners like you, we can reach and connect with veterans in every corner of the country.”

Reports and related budgets, meanwhile, were presented by each committee chair, including Veterans, Service and Seniors; Poppy and Remembrance; Membership; Public Relations; Sports; Defence and Security; Rituals, Awards and Protocol; Constitution and Laws; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and others.

Dominion Treasurer McRury presented the financial statements, including the statement of revenue and expense. The 2023 year ended with net revenue of $954,652. Her presentation included a proposed $1.25 increase in the Dominion Command portion of the Legion membership fee. It garnered passionate discussion and was approved.

Later, delegates also adopted a $3 subscription increase (the first in 12 years) for Legion Magazine (included as part of the membership fee), after hearing it would otherwise immediately begin posting significant deficits and/or have to reduce size and frequency. The new annual subscription (as of January 2025) is $12.49, plus taxes.

Valerie MacGregor, chair of the membership committee, reported that, with pandemic-related challenges now past, the 2018 strategic goal of 300,000 members is once again a realistic target. With recent advancements such as the 2021 launch of the Veterans Family Welcome Program, the 2022 introduction of digital membership cards and an automated renewal call campaign, member services continues to modernize and innovate.

The combined result? Consecutive years of membership growth after years of decline. Total paid membership reached 243,638 in 2022, a 3.8 per cent year-over-year increase. In 2023, the total eclipsed 256,524, an additional 5.3 per cent increase over the previous year. Of note, too: new members joining online are from younger demographics: 15 per cent are 40 or younger, 21 per cent are 45 or younger and 30 per cent are 50 or younger.

“Our journey toward innovation and service excellence is a testament to the collective effort of our members, branches, and leadership,” said MacGregor in her report. “We are confident in our path of sustained membership growth and broader impact.”

Two years away from its 100th anniversary, the Legion has a century of impact to celebrate. John Mahon, chair of the Centenary Committee, updated delegates on the organization’s plans to recognize the milestone, which include a centenary medal, a short documentary, special merchandise, an exhibit at the Canadian War Museum, a gala event, an official commemorative coin and stamp and more.

Six committee resolutions—operational and advocacy-related—were carried, while all but one of 10 resolutions returned to the floor for discussion by provincial commands were defeated. The brought-back resolution that was carried related to altering the Legion’s online membership portal.

A couple of special award presentations punctuated the proceedings as well. First, Ron Goebel, chair of Ontario Command and serving as the deputy chair at the convention, presented President Julian and Chair Chafe each with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, which recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians. Both were honoured not only for their longstanding work with the Legion, but with a range of other organizations and initiatives.

And, in one of his last acts as president, Julian bestowed the Legion’s Presidential Citation on his successor Lawrence, for his years of behind-the-scenes work to repatriate an unknown Newfoundland WW I soldier from France to a tomb at the Newfoundland National War Memorial in St. John’s. The project came to fruition this past July 1 on the monument’s centennial.

With business completed, Past President Mary Ann Misfeldt installed the newly elected officers.

“This is quite an honour,” said new Dominion President Lawrence in his inaugural address. “When I joined the Legion 20 years ago, I never thought that I would be your president.

“When I first thought about running for dominion president, I thought I would be doing this in Winnipeg [Aug. 22-26, 2026] at the 100th anniversary and I had this great line to open my speech. I was going to say, ‘it took the Legion 100 years to find the perfect president.’ But you did so good you did it in 98,” he joked.

“Our membership is growing, and I thank the membership chairs at all the branches who help us get to the numbers we’re at. You guys do an incredible job. To have increases two years in a row is absolutely amazing.

“I can’t thank [delegates] enough for the acceptance of the equity, diversity and inclusion program,” Lawrence also noted. “It shows that you are willing to work with dominion command to let the public know that the Legion is an open and welcome society. We don’t turn anybody away.

“I’m proud of the work our organization has achieved to date, and I look forward to more positive growth as we continue to focus on the needs of our veterans.”