The Royal Canadian Legion officially begins its 50th Dominion Convention

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Members celebrate, commemorate, and get down to business in Winnipeg

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OTTAWA, Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With a parade from Winnipeg’s 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. The Sunday morning opening was preceded by a special 100^th anniversary evening banquet featuring music by the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, and HMCS Chippewa, and was crowned by a sparkly fireworks display outside Winnipeg’s RBC convention centre.

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Close to 1000 delegates and guests from across Canada and beyond are gathering to discuss issues of importance to Veterans, and to the organization’s 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’s operations and its future.

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Outgoing Dominion President Berkley Lawrence is proud of the Legion’s 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.

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“I could not be prouder,” Lawrence says. “I am honoured to be in this role during this pivotal time in the Legion’s 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 – it’s going to be a good one!”

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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’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Jill McKnight shared her own family’s positive history with the Legion growing up, noting the Legion’s past is a “bridge to a limitless future.”

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The Honourable Philip Astor, grandson of the Legion’s founder and first Grand President, Field Marshal Haig of Britain, spoke of his forefather’s 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 “I 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.” He later officially opened the convention.

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Throughout the conference, guest speakers including the country’s Veterans’ 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.

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The Legion’s 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.