Royal Canadian Legion marks 100 years of service today

The Royal Canadian Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary today, marking a century of service to Canada’s veterans, military families and communities while continuing its mission of remembrance, advocacy and support.

Officially incorporated by an Act of Parliament on July 17, 1926, the Legion emerged from several veterans’ organizations formed in the aftermath of the First World War to become a unified national voice for those who served. Today, with approximately 270,000 members across the country, it remains Canada’s largest veterans and community service organization.

For the past century, the Legion has played a central role in preserving Canada’s military heritage through remembrance ceremonies, educational programs and community outreach. Through its annual National Poppy Campaign, commemorative events and educational initiatives, the organization continues to honour the sacrifices and service of Canadians while helping future generations understand the nation’s military history.

While remembrance remains at the heart of its mission, the Legion has evolved to meet the changing needs of Canada’s veteran community. In addition to advocating for veterans’ benefits and services, it provides emergency financial assistance, helps veterans navigate government programs and supports access to mental health resources, transition services and community-based programs for veterans, serving military members, RCMP personnel and their families.

Across the country, Legion branches continue to serve as important community gathering places where veterans, active military personnel, first responders and civilians come together to commemorate Canada’s military service, volunteer in their communities and build lasting connections.

To commemorate the centennial, the Royal Canadian Mint has released two collector products honouring the Legion’s century of service and remembrance.

The 2026 Fine Silver Proof Dollar, issued to mark the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion, features selective rose gold plating on the poppies and maple leaves as a tribute to a century of service and remembrance. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint)

Leading the tribute is the 2026 Fine Silver Proof Dollar, one of the Mint’s flagship annual collector coins. Struck in 99.99 per cent pure silver and limited to a worldwide mintage of 35,000, the coin recognizes the Legion’s enduring commitment to Canada’s veterans and their families. The reverse design features poppies alongside the maple leaf from the Legion’s official crest, while a forget-me-not honours Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial Day tradition, commemorating those who lost their lives at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel on July 1, 1916.

The commemorative theme continues with the 2026 Fine Silver Proof Set, limited to a worldwide mintage of 25,000. The seven-coin collection includes an exclusive version of the commemorative silver dollar featuring selective rose gold plating that highlights the poppies, the maple leaf from the Legion’s official crest and the forget-me-not. In addition to the enhanced silver dollar, the set includes one example of each of Canada’s six circulation coin denominations, presented in the Royal Canadian Mint’s signature book-style packaging.

The two releases continue the Mint’s long tradition of recognizing milestone anniversaries and institutions that have helped shape Canada’s history. For collectors, the coins offer a lasting tribute to an organization that has spent the past century honouring the sacrifices of Canadians who served their country while continuing to support veterans, serving military members, RCMP personnel and their families.

As The Royal Canadian Legion begins its second century, its mission remains rooted in the principles that have guided the organization since 1926: serving veterans, promoting remembrance and strengthening communities across Canada.