Royal Canadian Legion shuts down its branch in Greater Toronto Area, explains reason

Image: @RoyalCdnLegion/Twitter

A Royal Canadian Legion branch in Vaughn, Ontario has shut down with the provincial command citing the reason as association with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

In a letter signed by Legion’s provincial president Derek Moore, it stated that the branch in Woodbridge, Ont. has been shut down due to its “overt association” with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

The members of Branch 414, also known as the Mackenzie branch, were made aware of the decision earlier this month.

According to CTV News report, Moore informed the members “with great sorrow” that the Charter of the Mackenzie (Ont. No. 414) branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Provincial Command has been “revoked due to the branch’s overt association with members of outlaw motorcycle groups.”

“We learned of the outlaw motorcycle club activities from the police and investigated. In October 2023, after inquiry and for cause, the command suspended the Charter of the Mackenzie branch. We cannot permit the Legion’s name or events to be associated with organized crime,” he also said.

Moore reportedly said that the legion has a policy which restricts any person from either earring street gang colors or attire related to such bike clubs.

“The Legion developed this policy in consultation with Canada’s law enforcement agencies. The overt wearing of outlaw motorcycle club colours at Legion events and premises is contrary to the Legion’s Articles of Faith and disrespectful to the sacrifices made by our Veterans,” the letter continued, as per the report.

Moore further stated that the team’s conclusion to shut down the branch followed several days and months of gathering information and discussing the final decision.

The shutdown occurred less than a year after the arrest of the previous president and treasurer of the Mackenzie branch for embezzling nearly $35,000 from the Royal Canadian Legion.

York Regional Police claimed that from 2017 to 2019, the branch's ex-president had issued cheques to herself from the legion's funds.

In September, York Regional Police announced that both the president and treasurer had been charged for their involvement in the embezzlement.

The leadership of the legion at the provincial level did not link the alleged embezzlement to any issues related to outlaw motorcycle gangs.