There are many veterans' organizations in Canada but the largest by far is The Royal Canadian Legion with more than over 400,000 members and affiliates. They are contained within the following membership categories:
Ordinary (serving and retired military, RCMP personnel, provincial and municipal police);
Associate (direct relative of an ordinary member); and
Affiliates (voting and non-voting fri
ends of the Legion). In addition, there are approximately 58,000 registered members of the Ladies Auxiliary who provide invaluable support to the Branches of the Legion and their fundraising activities. Serving members of the Canadian Forces may join under the Military Member-At-Large program and may not need to join a specific branch. The Legion is a non-profit, dues-supported, fraternal organization with more than 1,600 branches in Canada, 21 in the United States and 4 in Germany. The Legion receives no financial assistance from any outside agency and membership is open to all Canadian veterans as well as serving and former members of the Canadian Forces, RCMP, The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, other police forces and their dependants, and Canadians who subscribe to the purposes and objects of the organization. From the time of its formation in 1925-1926, the Legion has focussed its efforts on the fight to secure adequate pensions and other well-earned benefits for veterans and their dependants. Acting as an advocacy agency on pensioners' behalf, the Legion deals directly with the Federal Government to ensure ex-military personnel and their dependants are treated fairly. The Royal Canadian Legion has assumed a major responsibility for perpetuating the tradition of Remembrance in Canada. Each year the Legion organizes and runs the National Poppy-Remembrance Campaign to remind Canadians of the tremendous debt we owe to the more than 117,000 men and women who gave their lives in the defence of Canada during two world wars the Korean War and other missions around the world. Contributions made during the campaign are used to assist needy veterans, ex-service members and their families. The Legion also supports programs for seniors, particularly through direct community-level activities, and housing projects. The Legion's Youth program provides scholarships and bursaries, sports programs and support to activities such as cadets, scouts and guides.
