Royal Canadian Legion looking to increase membership
Posted November 10, 2011 11:06 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – As Canadians prepare to mark Remembrance Day, the Royal Canadian Legion is trying to come up with a new battle plan to deal with its shrinking numbers.
It’s the largest veterans’ group in Canada with more than 340,000 members, but many of the legion halls are struggling to pay the bills.
Bob Butt, a spokesperson with the Royal Canadian Legion, told 680News the legion remains relevant despite a reduced military presence.
However, he said there’s no denying it’s a struggle to bring in fresh blood.
“1945 for instance, we had a million people in uniform, and now we get less than 100,000,” Butt said.
The legion has put together a focus on the future committee that’s looking at ways to boost the numbers, including the use of social media.
Butt said they’ll be putting together a Facebook page and Twitter account soon.
It also recently eased its membership requirements.
He also said the legion offers thousands of programs at its 1,500 branches across the country for young and old alike.
“There’s an awful lot to joining a legion, and it’s more than just sitting around telling war stories,” Butt said.
“We have thousands of programs across this country. Just at the national level, we have a track and field program for youths, we have the ‘welcome home troops’ campaign.”
