The Royal Canadian Legion Yesterday Today Tomorrow Our

The Royal Canadian Legion Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Our mission is to serve veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote remembrance and to serve our communities and our country.

Yesterday • Roots in the Great War Veterans Association in 1926 • The coming together of many Veterans groups established a unified voice to deal with government for the benefit of all Veterans • Established at the “Unity Conference” 25 November 1925 in Winnipeg and incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1926

Great War Veterans Association - precursor to the Legion “ Until the last veteran goes to his resting place in the bosom of mother earth, there will be problems arising from war service. But the major work of the GWVA in the future will be nation building. - The Veteran, national publication of the GWVA, 1924 ”

1926 Founding Pillars Remain Constant • Veterans Care • Care of CAF and RCMP serving members • The Perpetuation of Remembrance • Serving our Country and communities

Legal Mandate • Letters Patent (Charter) ~ 1926 • Act of Parliament ~ 1948 Through legislation, the Legion has access to service health records and Departmental files to provide comprehensive yet independent representation. These services are provided to Veterans, CAF personnel, RCMP and their families at no cost and does not require Legion membership.

Early Accomplishments – Nation Building • War Veterans Allowance Act ~ 1928 • Formation of the CBC ~ 1928 • Amend the Armistice Act to entrench November 11 as Remembrance Day ~ 1931 • Presentation to Rowell-Sirois Commission on Dominion Provincial Relations – 1938 • Veterans Land Act ~ 1943 • Operation Fitness ~ 1946 • Canadian Olympic Training Plan ~ 1956

The Legion Today • More than 300, 000 members, - 80% veterans and their families • More than 1, 400 Branches • 10 Provincial Commands • 3 International zones (U. S. , Europe, Mexico) • Approx 4, 000 full & part-time employees • $58. 8 million in wages • $4. 3 million in property taxes • $375 million in fees, staff and facilities • We receive no government funding for operations.

Current Programs • $6. 5 million support for local charities • $222 million Seniors Housing (over 7, 000 units in 140 sites) • Outreach & Visitation Initiative • $500, 000 National Track and Field Championships • Pilgrimage of Remembrance • National literary and poster contest

Current Programs • National Remembrance Day Ceremony and ceremonies all across Canada • Sponsor/support cadet corps (1, 100 of 1, 900 units) • Sponsor/support Scouts and Guides (690 units) • $2. 7 million bursaries and scholarships • $3. 3 million for branch youth programs • Troop support

Legion Sponsored Housing Alexander Mackie Veterans’ and Seniors’ Lodge Langford, BC

Track and Field • Developing Canada’s future Olympians • Award-winning event starts with competition in each Province and builds to a national competition • Only event of its kind held annually in Canada

Pilgrimage of Remembrance

Poster and Literary Contest • Over 100, 000 young Canadians participating annually • Youth directed connecting to fostering the traditions of Remembrance for all Canadians • Winners are flown to Ottawa for National Remembrance Day ceremony and tours of various sites in the Capital

Perpetuation of Remembrance • 2 Minute Wave of Silence • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier • War Memorial Interpretive Tablets • “The Valiants” • Canadian War Museum – Legion Hall of Remembrance • Virtual Wall of Honour and Remembrance • Valour Bridge

One of our most important roles is to be the guardians of Remembrance. Without the organizing skills of all our Legion Branches, there would be no Remembrance Day ceremonies across Canada. We do this as a solemn duty to you and to all Canadian veterans. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Poppy Campaign • More than 18 million Poppies distributed annually • Poppy represents Canada’s pledge to never forget • Poppy funds are held in public trust and can only be used to assist Veterans and their families

Poppy Fund Grants • Providing assistance to Veterans (including serving CAF personnel, RCMP members) and their families • Supporting medical training and research, and the provision of community medical appliances to assist in the care of Veterans and their families • Canadian Military Family Resource Centres • Providing bursaries to children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren of Veterans

We Support Our Troops • Veterans Transition Network (national expansion) • MFRC Programs & CF Appreciation Days • Nijmegen March • Operation Santa Claus & Canada Day gifts for troops • Landstuhl Fisher House • Military and Veterans Health Research Forum • Various Soldier On programs • One Million Dollars to the Royal Ottawa Hospital

Troop Morale Fund More than $900, 000 raised from Legions across Canada that put a comfort from home in the hands of our troops. 100% of funds given in certificates – no overhead

The Legion Cares for all Veterans!

The Service Bureau A fully networked service of the Legion operating from coast to coast. can assist and represent still serving CF members Veterans, RCMP members and their families regarding disability claims or related issues with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB). All services are provided free of charge and Veterans do not have to be a member of the Legion to access support. • More than 1, 400 volunteer Service Officers • 23 professional Command Service Officers

The Service Bureau • The Legion has operated a Service Bureau since 1926: • Disability benefits including health benefits and services for CAF members, RCMP, Veterans and family members • Benevolent Funds (Poppy Fund), Allied Benevolent Funds • Homeless Veterans programs • Housing in 140 sites / 7, 000 units: CMHC Housing Award in 2008 • Outreach and Visitation Initiative • Toll free service 1 -877 -534 -4666 • Service Officer in every Legion across the country • Partners with Integrated Personnel Support Centres • Advocacy

Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League • Founded in 1921 as British Empire Service League • Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa • United Advocacy • 119 Veterans, 16 Caribbean Countries, 119 Widows • Over $300, 000 annually in Assistance • CAF Support

Current Advocacy Issues • Elimination of barriers to Eligibility; fair and accessible for all Veterans with injuries attributable to their service (e. g. Legacy of Care) • Impact of Federal Government Budget reduction on Veterans’ Care • Continue to push on improvements to New Veterans Charter and 14 recommendations from ACVA Report of June 2014 • Post 65 Income for disabled Veterans • Care of the family • Research on Veterans’ Health

The Future Our priorities will remain the same: • We will continue to adapt in the new social environment to reach out to our Veteran community • We will expand enhance programs to meet the growing needs of all Veterans such as The Legion’s National Homeless Veterans Program and the Veterans Transition Network National Expansion • We will continue to provide leadership in advocacy efforts on behalf of all Veterans and their families • There is only one Veteran and the Legion supports all Veterans

The Future Our priorities will remain the same: • We will enhance partnerships to provide services and programs to our Veteran community across the country • We will continue to support community programs across the country • We will ensure the perpetuation of Remembrance especially among our youth through the expansion of our Youth Education Programs • We Will Remember Them