Manitoba legions bucking national trend of huge membership losses

By JASON HALSTEAD, Winnipeg Sun

The Royal Canadian Legion’s numbers may be in freefall nationwide, but the past-president for the Manitoba Command says the decline hasn’t been as drastic here.

Across Canada, legion membership dropped more than 25% between 2000 and 2009. Roland Fisette, who has been involved from branch to command level for 33 years, said he feared for the legion’s existence several years ago but is confident it will survive despite losing about 10% of its members every year in his region.

“It’s fairly stable. We lose some every year, but we gain some,” Fisette said. “We’re just trying to hold our own, but it all comes down to the branches and membership. They’re always trying to find new ways of bringing in people.”

Fisette pegged current legion membership in the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Command at about 27,000, down from 45,000 just 15 years ago.

Older members who joined during the boom after the Second World War have been dying off in greater numbers every year and numbers of current and former Canadian Forces members have not filled the void. In response, the legion has changed membership criteria numerous times over the past decade, a move that has changed the face of the clubs.

Traditionally, one had to be either a member of the Canadian military or a blood relative of a member. Now you don’t have to be involved with the military any way, simple a Canadian citizen who supports the beliefs of the legion.

“It has helped,” Fisette said of the rule changes.

There are currently 20 legion branches in the city and a total of 156 in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Legions remain in the public eye with their high-profile annual poppy campaign leading up to Remembrance Day and through many other community projects.

Fisette said the most important goal is to keep the service club viable.

“When you join the legion you are supporting the troops and our military families,” he said. “Whether you’re from a military background or not, you’re still going with the beliefs of the Royal Canadian Legion.”

The legion branches that were turning people away from weekend dances 20 years ago are now hustling to bring people in and have had some success with events like Texas hold ’em poker nights.

“We opening up to the community, we’re hosting steak dinners and fish frys,” Fisette said. “We try to get people in and once we get them in the door, we show them it’s a nice place to come and play pool or darts or visit.”

Veterans and current Canadian Forces members are also no longer making legions their first social priority, Fisette said.

“They are coming but they’re slow to join,” he said. “But then they’re not even really supporting their own messes. I just think it’s changes in society. The modern-day soldier has more options.”

With more Canadian Forces members serving overseas, especially on the Afghanistan mission, Fisette said he hopes more will come in seeking camaraderie.

“We’ll welcome them with open arms,” he said.

Fisette said the legion remains heavily involved with Military Family Resource Centres nationwide.