Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Canadian Legion is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization. Funding to fulfill our mission is provided through a number of sources, including:

Membership dues: Membership dues are determined at the Branch level and help support Branch operations. Dues are typically between $40-$60 per member per year. A portion of member dues support national and provincial operations such as administration, member programs and benefits, marketing and facilities.

Publically accessible grants: The Legion is not affiliated with any political party or organization and we do not typically accept financial assistance from any government party for our operations. However, Branches are able to pursue grants through federal, provincial or municipal government programs for initiatives outside of normal operations. These grants are available to all not-for-profits, and Legions only use the funds as defined in the grant guidelines.

Fee-for-service contracts: Branches often supplement income by renting out their facilities and providing food and entertainment services in their community.

Fundraising: A large part of funding for Legion Branches is through fundraising. Branch members volunteer their time to organize fundraising activities such as BBQs, dinners, bingo nights and meat draws to raise additional monies for operations and programming.

Legion merchandise: The Legion produces quality branded merchandise and apparel which Legion Branches sell at a profit. In addition, proceeds from purchases made directly through the Member Store and The Poppy Store support Legion programs, and are shared with Commands in proportion to the sales made to Branches and members within each Command.

Legion Branches are the cornerstone of communities across Canada, and provide one of the largest volunteer bases in the country. With 1,350 Branches from coast to coast-to-coast, our members provide local services and supports to build a stronger Canada. Whether helping local Veterans, supporting seniors, providing youth sports programs, raising funds, volunteering to help those in need, or simply offering a place to gather for fun and celebration, Legionnaires provide essential services in their communities.

The best first step is to contact the local Legion Branch within your community, or you may also contact the related Provincial Command depending upon the nature of your request. Most Branches and Commands have Public Relations Officers (PROs) who can help you with your project. Please find the appropriate contact starting here: https://legion.ca/news/media-inquiries

The Legion is an apolitical organization and does not get directly involved in government or internationals affairs, but it does continue to push for adequate resources for our Veterans - either during or after service. You are welcome to read more on what we are advocating for, here:  https://www.legion.ca/advocating-for-veterans.

On the matter of aid, the Legion is simply not equipped to react as an international aid organization. That said, individual Legion branches do often launch fundraising and other efforts to assist people living with the effects of war if they have the bandwidth to do so, in light of their ongoing work to support the Legion’s overarching and primary mission.

Please visit the following link for more information on how you can take part as a voting delegate, an observer, or a media representative: https://www.legion.ca/who-we-are/how-we-operate/2024-dominion-convention

Programs and services for Veterans and their families are free of charge and you do not have to be a Legion member.

Please contact your Legion Provincial Command. The jurisdiction for vehicle licencing resides with each province or territory. You will need to show proof of service - such as a certificate of service - to be eligible for a veteran plate.

Military service and medical records can be obtained by an individual (and/or family members if the veteran has passed) by following the instructions within this link: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/how-to-find-service-records

Note that the Legion is not permitted to provide medical records directly to anyone as they are entrusted to us by Veterans Affairs Canada solely for the submission of disability claims.

If you were denied a disability claim by VAC, you can appeal that decision. For assistance with appeals to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, please contact veteransservices@legion.ca or call toll-free 1-877-534-4666. With a signed consent form, Command Service Officers can assist and represent you.

The Legion does not provide loans. Through the Poppy Fund we do helps still serving and former Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP, and their families who are in financial distress. Grants are available for food, heating, clothing, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance.  An application and financial means test are required.  Please contact a Command Service Officer at https://legion.ca/support-for-veterans/contact-a-service-officer for more information or to apply.

The Legion is unable to assist with these costs as Poppy Funds have strict guidelines as to where and how they can be used. However, the Last Post Fund does provide some assistance and can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-465-7113, or by email at info@lastpost.ca.  You can also apply online. The Online Form can be found at https://www.lastpostfund.ca/wp-content/forms/EN/index.html. Once submitted, a Last Post Fund counsellor will contact you to help you through the process.

VAC will cover disabilities that are successfully pensioned or deemed medical illness and/or injuries.  The medical condition must be permanent or chronic in nature. It must also have been sustained in the performance of duty, was aggravated by service factors, or developed as a consequence of having another service-related disability. VAC will not cover any medical condition for which a successful application to VAC has not been made.

It does not; but many who leave the CAF or RCMP keep their health care plans when they retire. For conditions that have had disability applications approved, they would be eligible for treatment.

VAC doctors do not complete medical questionnaires except in some instances of reassessments.  Due to liability concerns and the shortage of health care providers across the country, the Legion is not in a position to maintain a list of medical professionals. 

Note that for first applications, the diagnosis must be contained in the service health records if still-serving or recently released. For retirees, the diagnosis must be completed by the appropriate medical professional. For example, a medical doctor could diagnose osteoarthritis, an audiologist can diagnose hearing loss, and a dentist can diagnosis dental conditions such as bruxism. In rare cases and only for certain medical conditions, a nurse practitioner may be able to diagnose, such as in remote locations where a doctor may not be present.

• Access to Venngo MemberPerks® for Legion members to enjoy special deals and discounts from leading brand name companies and trusted businesses across Canada.
• A paid subscription to the award-winning Legion Magazine
• Access to exclusive member items on the Legion Poppy Store
• A Member Benefits Package with great savings and deals

The Legion membership fee is shared among the branch, the provincial command, and national headquarters to enable work at each level of the organization. A portion of the membership fee is also dedicated to Legion magazine, which members receive as part of their membership.

• Legion Branches across the country organize and conduct annual community Remembrance services and recognition events
• The Royal Canadian Legion, on behalf of the people of Canada, organizes and conducts the National Remembrance Day service in Ottawa 
• Branches collaborate with communities to build and maintain local cenotaphs and memorials to honour the Fallen
• Branches are proud to celebrate their local heroes and many have museums and displays to express their pride in their history.

The Legion appreciates all efforts to help remember our Veterans. It’s important to understand that it is considered disrespectful to paint the Poppy image on pavement and walk on it, just like it would be to walk on the Canadian flag. The Poppy represents a fallen Veteran. Fortunately, there are other ways to create a remembrance crosswalk without using the Poppy image on the ground. The best process is to approach your closest community Legion branch, discuss alternatives, and then submit a request to use the Poppy image to the Legion’s National Headquarters. More information on receiving permission is available here: https://legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/the-poppy-trademark

The red Poppy of remembrance recognizes all who have given their lives and that includes animals. We would ask and encourage those who wish to remember animals specifically, to choose another symbol.

Yes, the Legion premiered its first biodegradable Poppy in 2022. It is made primarily from cotton velvet and paper. The pin is made of metal and may be recyclable in municipal programs, but the Legion is looking for other recyclable alternatives. The Legion’s wreaths are also biodegradable as of 2022 and are made from materials such as bamboo and moss.

The Poppy Trust Fund is composed of the funds donated across the country during the National Poppy Campaign from the last Friday in October to November 11.

• Funds donated locally are distributed locally.
• Funds contributed at a national level are distributed nationally. 

While we strive to source our products in Canada and from local supplies, some items are exceptionally difficult to source in this country at the volume we require and the price point that our members and the public are willing to pay.  In these cases, we source from an international supplier.

All funds raised through the sale of items allow the Legion to support our Veterans, their families, and communities, and to promote Remembrance. Read more here: https://www.poppystore.ca/about-us

• U16: 15 years and under, as of December 31 in the year of the championships
• U18: 17 years and under, as of December 31 in the year of the championships

There are several ways you can donate to support the Legion’s work during the Remembrance Period and throughout the year.

• Through the National Poppy Campaign in November at Poppy Box locations throughout your community (with cash or Tap and Pay options at a growing number of locations).
• Donating directly to your Branch.
• Donate online at www.legion.ca/donate. 

Please contact your local branch first to discuss what they might have available or visit www.poppystore.ca to browse the products. If you need to make a large order and would like to discuss pricing, please contact the Legion’s Supply department at 1-888-301-2268 or e-mail supply@legion.ca