Royal Canadian Legion in Canada celebrates 100 years

Published 1:00 pm Sunday, July 26, 2026

Royal Canadian Legion branches in Nanaimo and across the country celebrated their centenary last week.

Founded a year previous, the Legion was officially incorporated after a special act by Parliament on July 17, 1926 and has advocated and fundraised for war veterans throughout the years.

Legions across the country marked the occasion, including Branch 10 Nanaimo in Harewood, the oldest in Nanaimo. Jason Lott, branch president, said the number 10 signifies that it was the 10th branch incorporated in B.C. and it will be celebrating its own 100th anniversary later this year.

Lott said membership is solid, but more are wanted.

“We’ve seen a surge in membership, but we’re also at a time where people’s pocketbooks are a little bit tighter, and [the] cost of living, people’s disposable income is lower, so that impacts any hospitality-related business, whether it’s not-for-profit or for profit, but we do still get very solid numbers in relation to the other Legions,” he said. “We’re doing quite well, but the thing we’ve been asking for years and years and years (for) more volunteers – it’s rewarding.”

Other Legions in the area are Branch 256 Mount Benson in Nanaimo and Branch 257 Seaview Centennial in Lantzville.