The Royal Canadian Legion is open to Veterans, their families, and all Canadians or Allied nation citizens aged 18 and older who support its mission. As of 2025, the organization counts roughly 270,000 members.
Barry McGillivary, Membership Chairman with the Pembroke RCL #72 Chapter explains that there are four different types of Memberships available:
McGillivary goes on the explain that in order to become an Ordinary Member one has to be or have been in the Military while Associate Membership is granted to the offspring on an Ordinary Member. An Affiliate Voting Member need not be Military or law enforcement but simply someone interested in supporting the Chapter and the non Voting designation simply means that the member is excluded from voting rights within the Chapter.
Associate Members comprise the majority of the Legion’s flock according to Barry with approximately 236 of the 443 total Members in the Pembroke Chapter.
There haven’t been too many changes in the criteria for Membership over the years but McGillivary does point out one change in his time as Chairman:
Technology has become a factor with the RCL just as it has in any other entity in todays world and McGillivary says there is a significant shift to signing up through phones and laptops:
Digital correspondence has become the norm as well with the influx of newer Members who prefer to stay in touch from outside the walls of the Legion. Perks of Membership are also pretty significant as Members can get discounts on many goods and services including hotels and there are even educational bursaries for those who qualify.
Anyone interested in learning more about membership in the RCL please go to www.thelegion.ca
This has been instalment 2 of 5 for the “104 Hearts Royal Canadian Legion Moment” series. Tune in tomorrow for the next instalment. Please visit the link below to see how you can contribute.
(Written By: Richard Evans)