Conducting the Poppy Campaign under pandemic restrictions

Every year, The Royal Canadian Legion endeavours to bring the Remembrance Poppy to the lapel of every Canadian. This year is no different.

Legion National Headquarters is providing guidelines to conduct the 2021 Poppy Campaign, with a focus on safety. 

We are pleased to have the support of our National Poppy Campaign Corporate Partners in helping distribute Poppies across Canada and raise funds for the Poppy Campaign. View the list of Partners to see how they can support your local Campaign.

Conducting a Remembrance Day Ceremony under pandemic restrictions

The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to ensuring Canadians never forget. Even with pandemic restrictions in effect across the country, Legion Branches continue to find ways to commemorate the Fallen and honour all who serve.

Legion National Headquarters is providing an outline of the plan for the 2021 National Remembrance Day Ceremony (to be conducted live) as an example of how a ceremony can be delivered following local pandemic guidelines.

Cadet involvement in the 2021 Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Ceremonies

Approval for Cadets to participate in the Poppy Campaign has been delegated to the Regional Cadet Support Unit Commanding Officers and they will be able to authorise based on local COVID and public health measure conditions. Legions can reach out to their local contacts to check in on participation and coordination.

Tips for a safe and engaging Remembrance Day Ceremony

Below are considerations and suggestions to keep Remembrance at the forefront while following government and local health guidelines.

• Follow all indoor and outdoor gathering limits, social distancing and masking requirements, and proof of vaccine mandates.
• Where parades are not possible, consider inviting Veteran representatives (within gathering limits) to stand socially distanced on the ceremony site.
• Invite the community to purchase wreaths and pre-place them on the memorial before the ceremony. See the National Ceremony wreath initiative.
• Let local media know as soon as possible about your ceremony, and invite them to cover the event.
• Broadcast the ceremony live on Facebook. 
• Broadcast a smaller indoor ceremony to an outside audience on a large screen or audio speakers. 
• Invite your community to observe two minutes of silence at 11:00, wherever they may be.

Branch Electronic Funds Transfer information required

With the 2021 Poppy Campaign rapidly approaching, it is critical that Branches provide their Poppy Account Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information to Legion Headquarters as soon as possible. Since cheques were discontinued as of September 1, 2021, EFTs are the only way Legion Headquarters can distribute the generous donations from national corporate partners to Branches. In 2020, over $240,000 was distributed to over 230 Branches with the average amount being $1,000! It is projected that at least $300,000 will be disbursed to Branches following this year’s Poppy Campaign. 

Branches are asked to contact Dominion Command Accounting at 888-556-6222 extension 288 or by email at DirectDeposit@legion.ca to provide banking details for their Branch General Account and Branch Poppy Account.

Working together to serve Canada's Veterans