Canada’s Veterans and Remembrance are at the heart of everything we do. Beyond ceremonies, we serve by supporting Veterans and their families, building community partnerships, and creating spaces where all members can find camaraderie and purpose.

By encouraging members to participate, volunteer, and Remember, we bring our mission to life. When members feel connected to that purpose, our Branches grow stronger—and together we honour and support those who served Canada.

Branches are reminded to lower flags to half-mast on April 9 in honour of Vimy Day. Each year, The Royal Canadian Legion’s National Headquarters and more than 1,350 Branches across the country pay tribute to those who fell during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

On April 9, 1917, soldiers of the Canadian Corps stormed Vimy Ridge in France, capturing ground that had been under German occupation. More than 3,500 Canadians gave their lives and nearly 7,000 were wounded in what is widely regarded as a defining and instrumental battle of the First World War.

Flags should be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on April 9 as a mark of Remembrance and respect for their sacrifice.

If your Branch is holding a commemorative service or moment of reflection, be sure to invite your members and community to participate. Use this opportunity to share the significance of Vimy Day—whether through a ceremony, social media post, newsletter message, or in-Branch remarks—and help members connect more deeply with the meaning behind this important date in our nation’s history.

Every day, Branches across Canada make a difference — supporting Veterans, promoting Remembrance, and stepping up when their communities need help.

Social media is one of the most effective ways to help more people see that impact.

Legion Headquarters currently follows more than 700 Branch Facebook pages. When a Branch shares a story that may resonate beyond the local community — such as supporting Veterans, responding during a community hardship, or marking Remembrance in a meaningful way — we can share it on our national channels to help more Canadians see the difference the Legion makes.

If your Branch has a Facebook page and we’re not already following it, please email your page link to marketing@legion.ca so we can add you to our network.

We also encourage Branches to follow the Legion’s National Facebook page and share our posts whenever possible. The more we support one another online, the more Canadians understand who we are, what we stand for, and the important work being done to support Veterans and Remembrance in communities across the country.

Together, we can continue building pride, awareness, and engagement — both online and in our Branches.

Local Ford Dealers across Canada are reaching out to Branches to support membership growth through the WIN BIG Ford F-150 Sweepstakes. This national partnership creates valuable opportunities for collaboration at the community level — including vehicle displays, joint promotions, special events, and in-Branch visibility — all aimed at driving renewals and increasing awareness.

Branches are encouraged to connect with their local Ford Dealer if they have not yet been contacted to explore ways to work together and maximize the impact of the sweepstakes in their area.

Please continue promoting the WIN BIG Sweepstakes to drive lapsed member renewals and early Centenary renewals. Paid 2025 members who renew for 2026, and Centenary Members who renew for 2027 before December 19, 2026, are automatically entered to win a Ford F-150. Members can also earn up to two bonus entries by shopping at poppystore.ca or donating at legion.ca/donations. Access posters and ready-to-share graphics on the Member Services website, and learn more at legion.ca/winbig.

2026 marks the Legion’s Centenary year and we’ve created a beautiful, interactive website that chronicles major events and achievements of the Legion over the past century. From our founding and early advocacy for Veterans, through rehabilitation and national growth after the Second World War, to the modern era and new Veterans – the site is a treasure trove of history – and a great reminder to us all of the proud legacy we all share as legion members. legion.ca/ourstory

The Royal Canadian Legion is partnering with the Canadian Armed Forces to improve access to support for Veterans, CAF members, and their families. Government security-cleared Professional Legion Command Service Officers can now meet with clients at CAF Transition Centres across Canada, providing even greater access to free, expert guidance on benefits, programs, and services.

This partnership also strengthens training and information-sharing to ensure Veterans receive the most up-to-date support available.

Just as importantly, this collaboration helps ensure Veterans receive trusted, ethical assistance. We are aware of organizations that charge fees, take a percentage of awarded benefits, or present themselves as “free” while profiting in hidden ways. Veterans should never have to pay for help accessing VAC benefits. The Legion’s Service Officer assistance is always provided at no cost. Through this strengthened partnership with the CAF, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting Veterans and ensuring they receive the support they have earned—without barriers or hidden fees.

Branch Service Officers are reminded to refer Veterans requiring VAC claim assistance to their Provincial Command Service Officers to ensure they receive expert representation.

In mid-February, renewal reminders were mailed to approximately 59,000 lapsed members. This direct mail outreach is being followed by an email campaign in early March to further encourage members to renew.

Canada Direct will run an automated campaign beginning the week of March 24^th, uploading non renewed member phone numbers into its predictive dialing software. The campaign will run as follows:

• A phone call with a pre-recorded message will be sent to the remainder of lapsed members with phone numbers on file, reminding them to renew their Legion membership and that they can also receive an entry for the Ford F‑150 contest.
• Members can transfer to speak to an Agent and pay directly over the phone with a credit card. If the member is not home, a message will be left encouraging them to renew.

Branches play an important role in this process by ensuring member mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are accurate and up to date within the Membership website.

The Great War Veterans’ Association (GWVA) was formed on April 10, 1917, in Winnipeg to support returning First World War Veterans and advocate for their rights and benefits. In 1925, it merged with other groups and became The Canadian Legion, continuing its mission of service to Veterans and their families.

Download the 2026 calendar and start planning the dates and activities your Branch will promote, commemorate, celebrate or raise awareness of over the coming year.

Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other Members to keep them up-to-date on important updates and information.

All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services website.