{"id":871004,"date":"2026-08-25T14:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871004\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T14:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:52:12","slug":"the-royal-canadian-legion-officially-begins-its-50th-dominion-convention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871004\/","title":{"rendered":"The Royal Canadian Legion officially begins its 50th Dominion Convention"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a parade from Winnipeg\u2019s Legislature to its cenotaph for a thoughtful Remembrance ceremony, The Royal Canadian Legion began the first day of its national convention which is held every two years in Canada.<\/p>\n

\"Dominion<\/p>\n

Members celebrate, commemorate, and get down to business in Winnipeg<\/p>\n

OTTAWA, ON, August 24, 2026 \u2013 With a parade from Winnipeg\u2019s Legislature to its cenotaph for a thoughtful Remembrance ceremony, The Royal Canadian Legion began the first day of its national convention which is held every two years in Canada. \u00a0The Sunday morning opening was preceded by a special 100th anniversary evening banquet featuring music by the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, and HMCS Chippewa, and was crowned by a sparkly fireworks display outside Winnipeg\u2019s RBC convention centre.<\/p>\n

\"Dominion<\/p>\n

Close to 1000 delegates and guests from across Canada and beyond are gathering to discuss issues of importance to Veterans, and to the organization\u2019s strategic programs and direction. Over the course of four days, a new Dominion President and senior officers will be elected, and representatives will vote on issues affecting the Legion\u2019s operations and its future.<\/p>\n

Outgoing Dominion President Berkley Lawrence is proud of the Legion\u2019s 100-year history and is looking to the future especially in light of the over 100,000 new members that have joined during its anniversary year. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI could not be prouder,\u201d Lawrence says. \u201cI am honoured to be in this role during this pivotal time in the Legion\u2019s history. I know there are a lot of good things to come and I hope all our members, partners and supporters come along for the ride \u2013 it\u2019s going to be a good one!\u201d <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

On the official first day of the convention, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba the Honourable Anita R. Neville, David Pankratz, Special Envoy for Military Affairs from the Province of Manitoba, and Winnipeg Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers shared thoughtful greetings, while Canada\u2019s Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Jill McKnight shared her own family\u2019s positive history with the Legion growing up, noting the Legion\u2019s past is a \u201cbridge to a limitless future.\u201d<\/p>\n

he Honourable Philip Astor, grandson of the Legion\u2019s founder and first Grand President, Field Marshal Haig of Britain, spoke of his forefather\u2019s life and contributions. The latter had great concern for the care of returning Veterans and was instrumental in the formation of the original organization that led to The Royal Canadian Legion of today. He also shared his experience of visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, saying \u201cI know that I shall never forget my own experience there, and nor I might add, shall I forget Canadian service (and) sacrifice, that it so powerfully commemorates.\u201d \u00a0He later officially opened the convention.<\/p>\n

\"TheThroughout the conference, guest speakers including the country\u2019s Veterans\u2019 Ombud, Canadian Armed Forces representatives, and international Legion representatives from the United States, Britain, and Scotland, are among those scheduled to share insights and updates. <\/p>\n

The Legion\u2019s Dominion Convention runs from August 23-26. Held every two years at varying locations across the country, the next Dominion Convention will be held in August 2028, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

See speaker highlights here: Media advisory<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

About The Royal Canadian Legion<\/p>\n

Established in 1926, the Legion is Canada\u2019s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S. and Europe. With over 300,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.<\/p>\n

Public Relations \/ Media Inquiries: Nujma Bond 343-540-7604 or nbond@legion.ca <\/p>\n

Legion.ca<\/a>
Facebook.com\/CanadianLegion<\/a>
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Instagram.com\/royalcanadianlegion<\/a>
youtube.com\/user\/RCLDominionCommand<\/a><\/p>\n