Royal Canadian Legion wraps up 50th Dominion Convention

Sharon McKeown, Legion Dominion President GNW

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Members elect executive, vote in a junior category for youth contest, and unique centenary coin is unveiled

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OTTAWA, Ontario, Aug. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The installation of new senior elected officers marked the close of The Royal Canadian Legion’s 50^th anniversary convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sharon McKeown from Milton, Ontario is the organization’s new Dominion President.

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“Here I stand before you with great pride,” she said. “Moving forward, I believe strengthening our branches, the foundation of the organization where Veterans of every age and era can find comradeship, where communities gather, where Remembrance is kept alive and Canadians see our Legions in action, to be a priority of each level of command,” she said in her inaugural speech.

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An emotional Berkley Lawrence, immediate past president from Newfoundland and Labrador offered thanks to colleagues and members for their support and contributions as he led the organization over the past two years.

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“I feel the Legion is headed in a very good direction,” he said. “And it’s because of you.”

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Rounding out the next executive team include Grand President Larry Murray, first Vice President Jack MacIsaac, Vice Presidents Trevor Jenvenne, Valerie MacGregor and Derek Moore, Treasurer Jill Carleton, and Chair Bill Chafe.

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Over the course of four days, over 1000 delegates, observers and guests gathered in Winnipeg to hear guest speakers, receive national committee updates, and vote on resolutions to help guide the organization’s processes and programs. Members voted in a new junior category for the Legion’s National Youth Remembrance Contest; allowing much younger children to participate in the annual artistic program that sees many thousands of entries from across the country each year.

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A new Veteran scroll was also approved for use on informal Legion dress, to visually recognize member Veterans who have not been awarded military service medals.

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Highlights from the latter part of the convention included the unveiling of a new anniversary $2 coin crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint, featuring artwork by a former Legion National Youth Contest winner; and remarks by Royal British Legion Scotland President Dr. Claire Armstrong, who noted her organization is “remarkably similar,” and celebrated its own centenary in 2021. Also grappling with change including in the different kinds of Veterans being served, Armstrong shared what she called one of their most important lessons at 100.

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“Respecting our history, does not mean being trapped by it,” she said. “Our history is our foundation, but it cannot be our destination … we have survived because we have changed, we have adapted because the needs of those we support have changed, and we have continued because generations of volunteers have been willing to say, ‘things were different when we started, so what do we need to do now?’”