Royal Canadian Legion to Honour CBC’s Rick Mercer

CBC’s Rick Mercer is the Royal Canadian Legion’s third recipient of the Legion’s Founders Award.  He will receive the award at the Dominion Convention held in St. John’s, Newfoundland between 11- 15 June 2024.

“Rick Mercer exemplifies a grateful nation’s concern and support for Canada’s Veterans and serving Canadian Armed Forces members through words and deeds,” says Dominion President, Tom Eagles. “Of particular note is his involvement with the military’s “Stigma” project and how we must counter the misconceptions of mental illness,” adds Eagles.

“Not only is Rick Mercer deserving of this award but it is also fitting that we have a Newfoundlander receiving this year’s award since June 2016 marks a period when all Canadians should pay homage to the huge sacrifices made by Newfoundlanders some 100 years ago during the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment suffered crippling losses during the First World War,” states Eagles.

“I am deeply moved and flattered by this recognition, Says Rick Mercer.  “The most personally satisfying aspect of my career has been the opportunity to highlight the tremendous work of the Canadian Forces at home and overseas.  ‎It has been my distinct pleasure to get to know so many incredible dedicated men and women in uniform. ‎As a civilian I am proud to be an advocate for their well-being,” adds Mercer.

The award, introduced in 2024, is given to an individual or an organization for extraordinary achievement in an area that exemplifies and advances the purposes and objects of the Legion in the spirit and vision of the Legion’s founders. Past recipients include:

• 2012: Paul Gross, actor, co-producer and director for the movie Passchendaele;
• 2014: Joseph Boyden, lecturer and author of: Three Day Road.

The award can be presented any time it is determined that an achievement warrants such recognition.  The Legion chose this Dominion Convention for the announcement of this year’s award recipient but it can be bestowed at another significant Legion event or gathering.

The major governing body of the Legion is the Dominion Convention which convenes every two years.  This year’s delegates, from Legion branches across Canada, Europe, the USA and Mexico, will gather at the St. John’s Convention Centre to develop the policies and direction that will guide the way into the future.