September 30th, 2014
City of Ottawa recognizes company’s 75-year history
OTTAWA – Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has proclaimed October 1st, 2014 “Commissionaires Ottawa Day” in honour of the private security company’s 75th anniversary, veteran-focused social mandate and ongoing contributions to the safety and security of the City of Ottawa. The proclamation was formally announced by the Mayor at the Ottawa City Council meeting held on September 24, 2014.
Paul Guindon, CEO, Commissionaires Ottawa, says, “We are tremendously honoured by Mayor Jim Watson’s proclamation on behalf of the City of Ottawa. Our company was formed to provide meaningful employment opportunities to former military personnel who were wounded or faced challenges finding jobs. That remains our core cause but through the years, we have innovated, expanded and diversified to meet an unprecedented level of demand from existing and new clients. We’ve ventured into digital fingerprinting services, criminal background and pre-employment screening, threat risk assessments, investigations, non-core police services, and more.”
Guindon adds, “There is no question that the experience and discipline that are unique to military, RCMP and police backgrounds—combined with other career skills, progressive training programs and dedicated management—will continue to distinguish us as a private security leader. During the past decade, our company has tripled in size and across Canada, there are now 15 Commissionaires companies, more than 50 offices and 20,000 commissionaires protecting people, property and information.”
The exact wording of Mayor Jim Watson’s proclamation is as follows:
• WHEREAS, since October 1st, 1939, Commissionaires Ottawa has grown to become one of the largest private sector employers in the National Capital Region, with more than 3,600 employees today and 23,500 employees hired over the past 75 years; and
• WHEREAS, since the Second World War, and through subsequent eras of war and peace, Commissionaires Ottawa has been dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans of every age; and
• WHEREAS, Commissionaires Ottawa has introduced new security services to meet client demand, helped protect our freedom and peaceful way of life, and raised awareness and funds for military families through volunteer causes;
• THEREFORE, I, Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, do hereby proclaim October 1st, 2014 Commissionaires Ottawa Day.
Commissionaires Ottawa is a publicly recognized market leader, one of the largest private sector employers in the National Capital Region, and has won consecutive Consumer Choice Awards for business excellence in the security guard services category. The private security company offers a comprehensive range of security solutions and is contracted at hundreds of private and public sector client sites. Its service territory stretches beyond the National Capital Region to include the Ottawa Valley, all of Northern Ontario, and also parts of Northwestern Quebec and Southwestern Ontario. As part of its social mandate, Commissionaires Ottawa has been focused on hiring former and serving military personnel since 1939. It also hires RCMP and police veterans and other security-focused citizens of all ages who share a passion to safeguard their fellow Canadians.
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For more information relating to Commissionaires Ottawa, visit
www.commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca, or contact:
Andrée Paige, Media Relations
Commissionaires Ottawa
[email protected]
Cell: 613-863-1828