The Royal Canadian Legion Organizational chart



  • Through the Dominion Executive Council (DEC) with representatives from each Command, Dominion Command develops national policy for the branches which are organized into 10 autonomous Provincial Commands, all with their own executive

  • The DEC meets twice per year and is comprised of President, First Vice President, three Vice Presidents, Chairman, Treasurer and Immediate Past President and one rep from each of the Prov. Commands

  • Executive of Dominion Command is made up of DEC and Senior Elected Officers (SEO)—all are volunteers

  • Approximately 48 staff members of Dominion Command (including Legion Magazine) are headed by the Dominion Secretary on day to day basis and for implementation of policy directives


  • Dominion Convention is the major governing body, convening every 2 years; DEC meets once per year; and SEO meets at the call of the Dominion President

  • SEO or subject matter experts chair the Dominion committees which include: Veterans, Service and Seniors, Poppy and Remembrance, Membership, Public Relations, Constitution and Laws, Defence, Ritual and Awards, National Ceremonies, Sports, National Honours, Dominion Convention, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (Canada), Finance and Veterans' Unity.

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  • Dominion Command
    • Dominion headquarters (Ottawa) implements approved policy, manages major programs, liaises with VAC and federal agencies, administers the organization including supply, veteran services and membership
    • Dominion Command operates similarly to a private corporation with Senior Elected Officers as Board of Directors, Dominion Secretary as Chief Administration Officer and staff responsible to Dominion Secretary
    • Dominion Command is organized into departments (Administration, Finance, Supply, Communications, Service Bureau and Legion Magazine)
    • Approximate yearly operating budget is $10million which includes staffing, operations of Dominion Command Committees and funds earned through sales from the Supply Department—it does not include funds associated with the Poppy Campaign or staffing costs at branch and Command levels.
    • Dominion Command headquarters is in Ottawa at the newly constructed Legion House at 86 Aird Place
    • Legion Magazine (4th largest in Canada with paid circulation of 400,000) puts our six issues/year with 9 staff
    • Service Bureau, with 4 officers and support staff, supports veterans, serving military, RCMP personnel and dependants with pension and disability claims, complete case documentation and appeal, all without charge or Legion membership requirement

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  • Provincial Commands
    • Each province office known as a Command as granted under the Dominion Charter or Act of Parliament
    • Each Command is structured similarly to Dominion Command with a governing executive and committees responsible for conducting Legion business under the provisions of the Act of Incorporation and the General By-Laws of The Royal Canadian Legion and implementing programs on a provincial level

  • Districts and Zones
    • Some Commands, due to their geographic area or number of branches, group branches into zones, and zones into districts
    • Elected officers are appointed at these levels

  • Branches
    • At the municipal level, the branch is the most important element of the Legion structure because it is membership driven
    • Similar to other levels, executives are elected, committees are chaired, programs are managed and much of the Legion's good works are accomplished at this level
    • A wide variety of activities and programs are available for members as well as membership privileges such as branch sports, social events and comradeship
    • Branches, while under the jurisdiction of Provincial and Dominion Commands, must conform to their municipality's by-laws, local zoning regulations and are subject to taxation as imposed

  • Although vast, the Legion is a democratic organization providing members the opportunity to advance to the highest positions of authority

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