Honouring a century of service: Government of Canada supports Legion centennial projects across the country

WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- One hundred years ago in Winnipeg, Veterans' organizations came together to create what is now The Royal Canadian Legion. For a century, the Legion has played an important role in communities across Canada, supporting Veterans and their families, promoting remembrance and honouring those who served.

Yesterday, at The Royal Canadian Legion's 50th Dominion Convention, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced that more than 75 projects commemorating the Legion's 100th anniversary received more than $300,000 in funding through the Commemorative Partnership Program.

As The Royal Canadian Legion celebrates a century of service, support and remembrance, these projects will recognize its lasting contributions to Veterans, their families and communities across Canada. They will also encourage Canadians to deepen their understanding of Canada's military history and the sacrifices of those who served. For example, the 100 Years of Service (From Numbers to Names) project brought soldiers' stories to life through performance, while Government House in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted a community event marking 100 years of service and remembrance.

Through exhibits, commemorative events, educational activities and other community-led initiatives, these projects will honour the Legion's enduring legacy and help ensure that the service and sacrifices of Canada's Veterans are remembered for generations to come.

Quotes

"For 100 years, the Royal Canadian Legion has been at the heart of communities across Canada, supporting Veterans and their families, bringing people together, and helping Canadians remember the service and sacrifices that shaped our country. As the Legion marks its centennial, these projects will honour the members and volunteers who have carried that legacy forward for generations and help inspire future generations to do the same. It is especially fitting that we celebrate this milestone in Winnipeg, where the Legion's story began a century ago."

The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Quick facts:

• The Commemorative Partnership Program supports projects that honour the service and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans and those who died in service, preserve Canada's military history and encourage remembrance.
• The Government of Canada--through the Commemorative Partnership Program--has invested more than $300,000 in community-led projects across the country to celebrate The Royal Canadian Legion's 100 years of service.
• Funded projects include exhibits, commemorative events, educational initiatives, performances and community-led activities taking place across Canada.
• For a century, The Royal Canadian Legion has advocated for Veterans and their families, supported remembrance initiatives and contributed to communities across Canada.
• The funding announcement was made during The Royal Canadian Legion's 50th Dominion Convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Associated links:

• Commemorative funding programs | Veterans Affairs Canada
• Backgrounder: Honouring a century of service: Government of Canada supports Legion centennial projects across the country
• The Royal Canadian Legion Centenary - Celebrating 100 years | Royal Canadian Legion
• Dominion Convention | Royal Canadian Legion

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada - Ottawa

Contacts: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [email protected]; Adam Rogers-Green, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 343-573-0946, [email protected]