Sponsored Content Commissionaires 100th Anniversary
You might recognize the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires as those smartly-dressed security officers serving in a variety of locations across the country.
But you might not realize the backstory worth celebrating or the ongoing commitment that will take the Corps into its next century of service to Canadians.
So, let's return to its roots in the years following the First World War, when many returning home from the battlefield were struggling to find meaningful employment or were finding it difficult to transition to civilian life. Based on the British Corps of Commissionaires founded in 1859, the Canadian model was officially launched in 1925.
The Second World War added to the Corps' importance, as many members left to serve overseas in various branches of the Canadian Armed Forces or took on roles with organizations supporting the home front, such as the Veterans Guard of Canada. Upon their return, the Corps once again offered meaningful employment to a new generation of veterans. By 1950, Commissionaires was a truly a coast-to-coast operation, protecting and providing security to Canadians whenever and wherever needed – including royal visits.
The Manitoba Division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was established in 1938. The province's first commissionaire was Henry S. Bennett, a retired member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Today, the Manitoba Division is a security force 1,200 members strong.
True to its motto — 'Best Team, Best Led, Best Cared For' – the Division commits to supporting its employees, their families, and the communities it serves. For example, the Division has partnered with community groups to build raised community garden beds on its property. It has also achieved certification from With Glowing Hearts, a military leave-friendly HR policy program. In addition, the Division works with the Military Family Resource Centre and the Military Spouse Employment Network to help military spouses who otherwise may find it difficult to maintain employment due to the challenges faced because of their spouse's career.
As commissionaires mark their centennial, they can take pride in remaining true to that mission born in the years after the Great War. The original marching orders have created the country's largest not-for-profit security provider with over 20,000 employees from all walks of life, including retired RCMP officers, first responders and civilians who share the same sense of service.
The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires have helped keep us true, north, strong, and free for 100 years. That's a record of service we can all consider worthy of saluting.
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a day ago
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Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, originally set up in Montreal in 1925, continues to operate and remains the largest private sector employer of veterans from coast to coast. The organization celebrated with Capt. Geoff Hamilton, president and CEO of Commissionaires Great Lakes, ringing the bell to open the TSX stock exchange Friday morning. And as night fell, the CN Tower was lit up in blue, orange and white – the organization's colours – to mark the centenary. 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