Our association is right across Canada. We have 27 chapters. We're part of what might be described as the “big six”, or the “three big and the three little” type of thing, and we're on the “three little” end of it.
The criterion for joining our organization is that you must have been awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal that came into effect several years back. There's another organization called the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association. I'm unaware of what their criteria are, except that if you're a retired or ex-member of the Canadian Armed Forces you can join.
All of the veterans organizations are working together--as recently as November 16 of this year--where there's an effort to bring all of the veterans organizations together under one umbrella. There is a possibility that it may be called the Royal Canadian Legion Federation of Veterans.
We appreciate that the difficulty with veterans is that there are traditional veterans and older veterans that we can't draw from any more. For instance, when the last member of the Korean War passes away, the Korea Veterans Association will disappear. When the last person from the air arm of the navy passes away, that association will disappear. So what we're trying to do--and the Legion held a very informative and good session on or about November 16--is bring all of the associations under one roof.
With respect to our association, we're growing, but ever so slowly. For instance, just about three months ago we opened up another chapter in St. Catharines, Ontario. I can only suggest that when the Afghanistan veterans return, they may in fact form an association, such as the Gulf War Veterans Association did. We can only suggest that once the Royal Canadian Legion gets together, and we understand and prepare a constitution, we may in fact all be under one umbrella.
Now, it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but it's something that's there and it's visible.