CALGARY – Phil MacAulay, the president of the Calgary No. 1 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, has been a dedicated member for 50 years. Even he is taken aback by the innovative measures his local branch has implemented to sustain its 103-year-old building, which was originally opened in 1922 as the Great War Veterans Association. The facility transitioned to the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League in 1925 and became a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in 1961. With the legion poised to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, the challenges it faces are considerable.

Membership has seen a significant decline, dropping from approximately 3,500 members in the 1970s to just 425 currently. The building has faced a series of emergency repairs, including the urgent need for a new roof. Many of the older members have expressed concerns about the somewhat isolated location of the branch, causing them to leave before nightfall.

As president at the age of 72, MacAulay is committed to keeping the No. 1 Branch financially viable. One of the ways the branch has adapted to maintain its operations is by renting out its space for various events, including music concerts and community activities. Recently, the facility hosted a large Halloween bash as well as a punk rock concert and is known to serve as a venue for the annual Sled Island music and arts festival. "It’s mostly music venues that participate in bringing in what we need, and the businessmen’s dart clubs," said MacAulay, who served in the Navy and hails from Nova Scotia.

Inside the building, remnants of its history are evident. A faint smell of stale beer lingers, and old signage points to amenities such as a "Barber shop, Shoe Shine and Snooker." An unused barber chair and hair dryer occupy one room, while an old shoe shine stand sits idle. Another popular attraction at the venue is a monthly wrestling event that has garnered attention in the community. MacAulay humorously notes, "Usually, I’m not here for those events… too loud… too old. I still got good hearing, and that’s the problem."

To address these challenges, the legion opened its membership to all, a decision MacAulay believes was essential. While he acknowledges that this has somewhat diluted the organization’s traditional roots, he argues that change was necessary for survival. Nujma Bond, the national spokesperson for the legion, affirmed that branches across Canada are currently thriving, with a national membership of 270,000—an increase of 20,000 from 2023. Bond noted, "There had been a decline, and so a few years ago that reversed and we’re seeing an upswing in membership again. It’s really exciting."

The peak membership of the legion occurred in 1984, reaching 600,000 members nationwide. As the organization continues to evolve, Bond stated, "Individual branches have a lot of autonomy, and the legion realizes the importance of change." This adaptability has allowed branches to find solutions that cater to their unique communities—whether through amalgamating with other branches, renovating facilities, or even relocating.

Brittany Johnson, president of the legion branch in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, shared her thoughts on adapting to change, having joined six years ago to honor her Second World War veteran grandfather. With 120 members, Johnson noted that her branch's finances remain solid after selling its building a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic and renting a space instead. "I hope that other legions can explore ways to keep their branches alive if they're facing difficulty with their buildings," she advised. Most members of her branch are associate members linked to military family backgrounds, and Johnson emphasizes that every additional member bolsters the legion's presence.

“You have to adapt,” she reiterated, expressing her appreciation for the legion's efforts to welcome younger individuals and those without direct military ties who wish to contribute to a noble cause. “It’s definitely something that needs to keep happening,” she concluded, indicating a hopeful path forward for the organization.

This report highlights the ongoing evolution of the Royal Canadian Legion and the various adaptations being made by branches to ensure their relevance and sustainability in modern communities.