Distinguished Award Recipients Recognized at the Commissionaires Annual Meeting of Divisions 2024

August 23rd, 2024

LinkedInPrint

At the Commissionaires Annual Meeting of Divisions (AMOD) in June, Commissionaires recognized a group of individuals for their outstanding service, leadership and guidance provided to the Corps. AMOD 2024 was hosted by the New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Division in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Those who were honoured have performed their duties beyond what was asked of them, or have contributed significant time toward promoting and maintaining our social mandate of providing employment to veterans and their families. Their efforts contribute to Commissionaires being one of Canada’s premier security providers. While we were proud to present awards in person, some of the recipients were unable to attend.

Below you will find a list of the awards and their worthy recipients:

National Award of Merit

The National Award of Merit is the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires’ highest honour. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the advancement of Commissionaires’ social mandate or is awarded for outstanding meritorious service to the Corps.

  • Col (Ret’d) Chris A.R. Lythgo

Chris joined Commissionaires as a Governor with the BC Division in 2013 and became Division Chair in 2017, a role he held until being elected National Chair in 2019. After his two-year term as National Chair, he continued with Commissionaires until his retirement from the Corps in 2024.

Commissionaires Medal of Bravery

The Commissionaires Medal of Bravery honours exceptional service that goes beyond the usual performance of duty, awarded for acts of bravery and personal risk.

  • Cmre Kuwar “Ajit” Singh, British Columbia Division

On August 2, 2023, at RCMP Green Timbers Headquarters in Surrey, BC, Commissionaire Kuwar “Ajit” Singh played a critical role in preventing a potentially deadly situation. When an aggravated individual armed with a knife and a large rock threatened a civilian RCMP employee and caused significant damage to the building, Singh bravely assisted in restraining the person, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. His quick and selfless actions were instrumental in managing the dangerous situation.

Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal

The Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal (CDSM) is one of the most prestigious awards issued by Commissionaires. It recognizes service of significance beyond a faithful performance of duty.

  • Cmre Nathan MacKinnon, Nova Scotia Division

Nathan MacKinnon was awarded the CDSM for his actions working as a bridge patrol officer in Halifax, NS. Nathan showed exceptional skills in identifying and managing dangerous situations, successfully performing life-saving measures on three separate occasions.

National Chair’s Commendation

This Commendation is to recognize a meritorious act or contribution, or dedicated service to the Corps.

  • CPO1 (Ret’d) Geoff McTigue, Commissionaires National Office
  • Rowan Hamilton, Great Lakes Division
  • Cheryl Fifer, Ottawa Division
  • Lori Bredo, Northern Alberta Division
  • Troy Sinclair, British Columbia Division
  • Jennifer Daly, Northern Alberta Division
  • Glenn La Rusic, Ottawa Division

The seven individuals listed above were recognized for going above and beyond during the almost year-long negotiations to revise the National Master Standing Offer which coordinates guard services provided to the federal government.

  • Cmre Alisha Parmar, British Columbia Division
  • Cmre Paramjit Gill, British Columbia Division
  • Cmre Supriya Parmar, British Columbia Division

The three individuals listed above were awarded for their role in the August 2, 2023, incident at RCMP Green Timbers Headquarters in Surrey, BC. They assisted Commissionaire Kuwar “Ajit” Singh in preventing a potentially deadly situation.

Outgoing National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque

The National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque are presented to outgoing National Board Directors as a token of appreciation for their dedication and leadership with the Corps. We are grateful for their service and wish them well in their future endeavours.

  • Capt (Ret’d) Al Giesbrecht, Victoria, the Islands and Yukon Division
    National Board Director, 2021 – 2024
  • Col (Ret’d) Richard N.H. Dickson, Kingston & Region Division
    National Board Director, 2022 – 2024
  • BGen (Ret’d) Linda J. Colwell, Ottawa Division
    National Board Director, 2020 – 2024
  • Col (Ret’d) Pierre St-Cyr, Quebec Division
    National Board Director, 2020 – 2024
  • C/Supt (Ret’d) Tom W. Bennett, Nova Scotia Division
    National Board Director, 2022 – 2024

Outgoing National Board Committee Chairs Owl

A soapstone owl carving by Canadian artist Ross Parkinson of West Brome, Quebec, is presented to outgoing National Board Committee Chairs. It is a symbol that represents the wise guidance that they have provided to the Corps as a result of their vast experiences. As they complete their terms overseeing their respective committees, we thank them for their leadership and counsel.

  • Col (Ret’d) Lorne Zens
    Audit Advisory Committee – Chair
  • Maj (Ret’d) Helga Rausch
    Equity Committee – Chair
  • BGen (Ret’d) (France) René Dequen
    Centennial Working Group – Chair

The accomplishments of these individuals are a testament to Commissionaires’ success as one of the top security companies in Canada. Their efforts not only promote and enhance our social mandate, but they also foster a workplace that delivers ethical and safety-conscience employment across the Federation. We celebrate their achievements which help to make Canadian communities safe and secure places to live.

Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel presenting Past National Board Chair, Col (Ret’d) Chris Lythgo with his Commissionaires National Award of Merit.
From L-R: Gord Winkel, Current National Board Chair, and Col (Ret’d) Chris Lythgo, Past National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel, presenting Immediate Past Board Chair, Ottawa Division, BGen (Ret’d) Linda Colwell with her National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque.
From L-R: BGen (Ret’d) Linda Colwell, Immediate Past Board Director, Ottawa Division, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel, presenting Immediate Past Board Chair, Victoria, the Islands and Yukon Division, Capt (Ret’d) Al Giesbrecht
with his National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque.
From L-R: Capt (Ret’d) Al Giesbrecht, Immediate Past Board Director, Victoria, the Islands and Yukon Division, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel, presenting Immediate Past Board Director, Kingston & Region Division, Col (Ret’d) Richard N.H Dickson with his National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque.
From L-R: Col (Ret’d) Richard N.H Dickson, Immediate Past Board Chair, Kingston & Region Division, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel, presenting Immediate Past Board Chair, Quebec Division, Col (Ret’d) Pierre St-Cyr with his National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque.
From L-R: Col (Ret’d) Pierre St-Cyr, Immediate Past Board Chair, Quebec Division, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel, presenting Immediate Past Board Chair, Nova Scotia Division, C/Supt (Ret’d) Tom W. Bennett with his National Board of Directors Pen and Plaque.
From L-R: C/Supt (Ret’d) Tom W. Bennett, Immediate Past Board Director, Quebec Division, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel presenting Immediate Past Centennial Working Group Chair, BGen (Ret’d) (France) René Dequen with his Outgoing Committee Chair’s Owl.
From L-R: Gord Winkel, National Board Chair, and BGen (Ret’d) (France) René Dequen, Immediate Past Centennial Working Group Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel presenting Immediate Past Audit Advisory Committee Chair, Col (Ret’d) Lorne Zens with his Outgoing Committee Chair’s Owl.
From L-R: Col (Ret’d) Lorne Zens, Immediate Past Audit Advisory Committee Chair, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair
Commissionaires National Board Chair, Gord Winkel presenting Immediate Past Equity Committee Chair, Maj (Ret’d) Helga Rausch with her Outgoing Committee Chair’s Owl.
From L-R: Maj (Ret’d) Helga Rausch, Immediate Past Equity Committee Chair, and Gord Winkel, National Board Chair