Royal Canadian Legion marks 100 years of service with community celebrations

The Prince Albert branch has deep roots in the community. According to the Legion, the local branch opened on Oct. 19, 1926, at its original location on First Avenue West, just months after the national organization was established.

Founded by veterans returning from the First World War, the Legion was created to support former soldiers dealing with injuries and trauma, including helping veterans access housing and financial assistance. Today, the organization has roughly 300,000 members and more than 1,350 branches across Canada.

A recent event at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #2 in Prince Albert, where memberships as been on the rise. (Image Credit: Royal Canadian Legion #2/Facebook)

While Legion membership has declined in many communities over the decades as veterans from the world wars have passed on, Hodgson said the organization is seeing renewed interest.

The Legion’s national office has offered free memberships during its centennial year, a move that has helped attract 100,000 new members across the country in the first half of 2026.

“We’re seeing it right across Canada,” Hodgson said. “It’s brought out a lot of members.”

He added the Prince Albert branch was already experiencing growth before the anniversary campaign.

“Last year our numbers were going up. Everything was getting better,” he said. “It’s going actually well at our Legion, and [after] going to meetings in the province, other Legions are doing well also.”

Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour speaks at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Friday, July 17, 2026. (Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle)

Today, anyone can become a Legion member, regardless of military service.

“People are starting to see the Legion over the last while as to what it does and what it serves for us,” Hodgson said. “The veterans and the past and its history, you can’t let go. We’re trying to keep it going and it’s going well, I think.”

Manager of Communications for the Royal Canadian Legion, Nujma Bond said the organization’s role has evolved over the past century beyond supporting veterans and their families to also promoting public awareness of the sacrifices made by Canadian service members.

“The community aspect of the Legion is huge,” Bond said. “In many centres, smaller centres in particular, Legion branches are the hubs of their community.”

That community role remains important in Prince Albert, where the local branch continues to host remembrance ceremonies, community events and volunteer initiatives throughout the year.

Nationally, Governor General Louise Arbour participated in a commemorative ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. In a message marking the centennial, she thanked veterans for their service and praised the Legion’s century-long commitment to supporting former military members and preserving the spirit of remembrance.

“For a century, the Royal Canadian Legion has supported our veterans during and beyond their years of service, while keeping their stories alive and paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Arbour said.

She also described the Legion as “a powerful force in villages, towns and cities across Canada.”

Canada Post is also commemorating the milestone with the unveiling of a special 100th anniversary stamp in Ottawa.

For Hodgson, the centennial is not only an opportunity to honour the Legion’s history, but also to introduce a new generation to the organization.

“It’s important to have the Legion,” he said. “They were started by the veterans after the First World War. We’ve got a good crew of volunteers to help out and we’re keeping it going.”

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-With files from The Canadian Press

panews@pattisonmedia.com

by paNOW Staff

Royal Canadian Legion marks 100 years of service with community celebrations

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