Editorials

Success is something that is built upon, and the Veterans Independence Program should be no exception. Since its introduction 27 years ago, the VIP has evolved into one of the best postwar federal government programs. Its success is rooted in its basic philosophy—a way of thinking that puts the comfort of veterans and their spouses first while at the same time recognizing the need to find good alternatives to placing aging veterans in costly long-term care facilities.

To that end, The Royal Canadian Legion has worked closely with Veterans Affairs Canada to make the program even better because in the Legion’s […]

Veterans Affairs Canada through its Community Engagement Partnership Fund has provided some financial assistance to non-profit groups and organizations planning events and educational activities that pay tribute to those who have served in times of war and peace. VAC notes that it does not and cannot stand alone in honouring veterans and their achievements and sacrifices and has welcomed the chance to contribute to these organizations and their projects.However, concern has been expressed by Dominion President Wilf Edmond when it comes to that money being offered to, or asked for by, Legion branches. In a Sept. 11 letter to all […]

The 42nd dominion convention held in Ottawa June 21-25 turned out to be a historic occasion when The Royal Canadian Legion took stock of how it was governing itself. The RCL Commission on Governance, Representation and Command Structure had studied the Legion’s history and compared how the various commands, including Dominion Command, were governing themselves.

The largest problem was the size and cost of the Dominion Executive Council. While the Legion membership had dropped by almost a third from its peak of 602,489 members in 1984, DEC had remained virtually the same with 40 members. There were nine members of the […]

It was only natural that as Canada became a more confident, independent nation that it would shed many of the elements of colonialism. In our Centennial year, 1967, we proudly created the Order of Canada and our own honours and awards system. That system did not include specific military decorations for valour which up until then had been awarded to Canadians by the British government. In 1992, our own medals of military valour were designed by the Chancellery and accepted by Queen Elizabeth II. These were the Medal of Military Valour, the Star of Military Valour and, highest of all, […]

Throughout its 82 years of history, The Royal Canadian Legion has been well served by its courage and introspection. Indeed, many of the organization’s major public accomplishments owe their success to those attributes—qualities that have served to strengthen the importance of remembrance and bring much-needed assistance to Canada’s veterans and still-serving armed forces personnel. Today, those very same traits are being called upon again—this time to consider what is best for the Legion and its future.

At its February meeting, the Dominion Executive Council discussed the results of the first substantive structural review of the Legion since its inception in 1926 […]

Last October, the Legion invited representatives of 14 veterans groups to a meeting in Ottawa to discuss a way in which they might come together in a Legion federation. It was the first time since 1925 that veterans groups had sat together to consider their collective future. It was a positive meeting and the groups agreed to return for a followup meeting this October.Well before that meeting takes place, delegates at the Legion’s dominion convention in June will be asked to consider two optional changes to the traditional Legion uniform. Both serve to recognize the strong loyalty serving members or […]

Two new partners are great, but four new partners are even better. In our last issue, The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) announced the inclusion of Diageo Canada Inc. and Philips Lifeline Canada into the revitalized RCL Member Benefits Package (Editorial, January/February). The Legion has done it again. This time the two newest partners are Medipac Travel Insurance and Relocation Services—two companies committed to supporting the Legion and its members.

Medipac has been in the travel insurance business since 1982. It is the company’s only business, and it has covered Canadian groups and associations since 1982. A phone call will put you […]

In accepting the report from the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “this report will help inform broader public debate about the future of Canada’s role in Afghanistan as parliamentarians prepare to make this important decision.”

The panel headed by former foreign affairs minister John Manley has not set any deadlines for Canada’s withdrawal from its base in the dangerous Kandahar province but has set strict conditions that have to be met if Canada is going to continue to support the elected government of Afghanistan. Most importantly, the report states Canada must find a […]

Legionnaires, their branches and the general public have embraced The Royal Canadian Legion Troop Morale Fund. And the good news is that 2008 promises to be another successful year for the nationwide program which delivers one coffee and doughnut certificate […]

At the 1998 dominion convention, delegates asked The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) to introduce a benefits program that would enhance the value of membership. Over the years, partners like MBNA MasterCard have made significant financial […]