Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour speaks at the July 17, 2026, ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in honour of The Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th birthday. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
One hundred years to the day after a special act of Parliament incorporated the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, its current manifestation, The Royal Canadian Legion, was honoured at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in tribute to the milestone.
Hundreds, including Legionnaires, veterans and passersby, gathered at the monument in the shadow of the nearby Peace Tower on July 17, 2026, to recognize a century of work in support of Canadian veterans and remembrance. They were joined by lapel-poppy wearing dignitaries including Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight, RCL Grand President Larry Murray, RCL President Berkley Lawrence, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Angus Topshee, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, the Canadian Armed Forces chaplain general, Colonel Lisa Pacarynuk, and retired sergeant Wendy Jocko, also the current Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, who officially represented Indigenous veterans.
The formal event kicked off with the arrival of the Canadian Remembrance Torch, a symbol of peace and freedom conceived by the miliary pilgrimage group In Our Fathers’ Footsteps. It was designed and built by engineering students from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., in 2022. The torch was placed adjacent to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after which the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces played O Canada.
Following a land acknow- ledgement and greeting by Chief Jocko, Gov.-Gen. Arbour addressed the crowd.
“For a century, The Royal Canadian Legion has supported our veterans during and beyond their years of service, while keeping their stories alive and paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” noted Arbour.
“I thank the Legion for helping generations of veterans build fulfilling lives in their communities,” she continued. “Beyond its commitment to veterans and their families, the Legion is a powerful force in villages, towns and cities across Canada. Through the dedication of its members, it supports seniors, creates educational and sporting opportunities for young people, raises funds and lends a helping hand to those in need.”
Veterans Affairs Minister McKnight reiterated Arbour’s message about the Legion’s commitment to community in her address, specifically mentioning memories of her local branch.
“For countless Canadians, the Legion has been more than an organization. It has been a place where veterans found comrades who understood their experiences, where friendships were formed and where service continued in volunteering, mentoring and giving back to the community,” said McKnight.
“For me, RCL branch 61 in Ladner, B.C., is an integral part of my community and upbringing,” she continued. “I’ve attended numerous meetings there, enjoyed events and family gatherings and seen first-hand the Legion’s role in bringing people together. It’s part of the fabric of our community.
“Across generations, Legion members have demonstrated that service to country and service to community are inseparable,” McKnight concluded.
RCL Grand President Larry Murray, RCL President Berkley Lawrence and RCL National Executive Director Randy Hayley receive a commemorative nameplate from Canadian Remembrance Torch representatives Felicianna Kapralos, Spencer Dickinson and Karen Hunter.[Aaron Kylie/LM]
A Hercules conducts a flypast at the event. [Aaron Kylie/LM]
The RCL’s Murray and Lawrence then took to the podium to spotlight several of the Legion’s milestone initiatives over the years, from hosting Remembrance Day ceremonies at the local and national levels to its work supporting the repatriation of unknown soldiers to Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“These illustrations are only some of the Legion-led initiatives that are destined to endure as we head into the country’s next century of remembrance,” said Lawrence.
Youth representative Sara Butts of Ottawa read a poem she entered into The Legion National Foundation’s annual National Youth Remembrance Contests (also see “Reflections on remembrance,” page 64) in recognition of the organization’s role in ensuring remembrance passes from one generation to the next.
Then, CAF musicians played Last Post, Lament and Rouse. Murray, Lawrence and Jocko recited the Act of Remembrance, in French, English and Algonquin, respectively, which was followed by a flypast of a CC-130J Hercules from 8 Wing Trenton. Two cadets—Warrant Officer Jacob Dubois and Sargeant Isla Raine Dwyer—then recited the Commitment to Remember, in French and English.
Chaplain General Pacarynuk followed with a reflection, subtly referencing the Legion’s milestone in concluding: “Let the next century of remembrance be marked not only by ceremonies,” she said, “but by courage in service, compassion in action and fidelity to one another. Lest we forget.”
Gov.-Gen. Arbour then placed a wreath at the foot of the National War Memorial, before other dignitaries placed their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other veteran organizations on hand followed before God Save the King concluded the ceremony.
“Across generations, Legion members have demonstrated that service to country and service to community are inseparable.”
Afterward, a reception was held at Ottawa City Hall, just steps from the National War Memorial, to celebrate the Legion’s century of work. Legion Grand President Murray, Dominion President Lawrence, RCL national executive director Randy Hayley and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe shared remarks during the fete. Sutcliffe presented a proclamation naming July 17, 2026, as “Royal Canadian Legion Centenary Day” in Ottawa, home of the organization’s headquarters.
The event included a ceremonial cake-cutting and the unveiling, by Canada Post president and CEO Doug Ettinger, of a new stamp dedicated to the RCL’s anniversary. Attendees were also encouraged to participate in the Legion’s Don’t Forget to Remember program, by sharing messages of remembrance on sticky notes.
Veterans Affairs Minister McKnight and Legion President Lawrence penned the campaign’s first reminiscences. Theirs and others will be collected from similar events at Legion branches across the country to form murals in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver
later this year in yet another celebration of 100 years of remembrance.
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