In a bold celebration of Canadian winter spirit, Canadian Geographic, with the support of its charitable arm, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), recently held its 5th annual Polar Plunge peer-to-peer fundraising event, which took place across the country on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Donating to Canadian Geographic and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society helps support education, storytelling, exploration, and understanding of Canada — benefiting students, educators, researchers, photographers, and explorers.
Environment Journal’s founder, Todd Latham, participated in one of these plunges, in support of Mark Terry’s group. Terry is a Professor at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, an author and UN Climate expert, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
EJ’s Todd Latham (left) participated in the Royal Canadian Geographic Society polar plunge last weekend at Woodbine Beach in Toronto, Ont.
Statement from CEO of RCGC
“Nearly a century ago, in 1929, a remarkable group of Canadian innovators came together to form the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). They were drawn from all regions of the country and from all sectors of society. They had one shared purpose for the new Society: to publish a magazine that would “be a unifying influence upon the life of Canada.”
Their intention was for the RCGS to touch all Canadians–”to count among its members all men and women who have complete faith in their country, and who recognize it as a duty and a privilege to learn more about Canada”– and to help spread that knowledge at home and abroad. Little has changed in the intervening years.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society publishes Canadian Geographic, the country’s number one paid magazine by readership, and operates Canadian Geographic Education, which reaches 28,000 educators in every province and territory. Little wonder the maple leaf sits in the middle of the Society’s iconic Compass Rose flag; Canada is at the heart of everything we do.
Irrespective of any tariffs imposed by the U.S. Administration, let’s not forget what has happened in recent months: A U.S. President threatening economic pressure to undermine Canadian sovereignty, stating that without an imagined “massive subsidy” from the U.S., Canada “ceases to exist as a viable country” and implying it would somehow be desirable to be downgraded to the status of the 51st state.
This should serve as a wake-up call for us all. We cannot leave this fight to politicians and government alone; we all have a stake in standing up for our country, celebrating its achievements, and deepening our knowledge of its human and physical geography. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Canadian Geographic, and Canadian Geographic Education have never been more vital.
Help us to fulfill our founders’ vision, so beautifully captured in our motto, DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE – love of country leads me.”
John Geiger, C.M.
Chief Executive Officer
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
The campaign continues! Click here to join us in supporting the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and its educational and expedition programs. Every donation—big or small—helps to reach our fundraising goal and directly supports our mission of making Canada better known to Canadians and to the world.
