January 17th, 2023
Seventeen remarkable commissionaires have received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (QPJ) medal, commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne and subsequent 70 years of public service.
The QPJ medal was one of the last decorations of honour Her Majesty approved before her passing late last year. It recognizes outstanding volunteers, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency services, and others who have positively impacted society.
The commissionaires who received the medal are consummate volunteers, each personifying what it means to live a life of service. Commissionaires Nova Scotia hosted an investiture ceremony on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, for the medal recipients and their guests.
The organization transformed its Head Office training rooms into a venue fit for royalty. As the Crown’s representative in Nova Scotia and a longstanding patron of CNS, Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc presided over the two-hour event. He was joined by Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc and the Aide-de-Camp.
Liane MacAusland, CNS Contacts Development Officer, served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Barry Pitcher, CNS CEO, and Heather Armstrong, CNS Board Governor, each took a turn at the podium to congratulate the recipients. A reception followed the presentation of medals.
CNS is immensely pleased to recognize the following commissionaires who were honoured at the event:
Brad Beckwith of Halifax
- in recognition of his outstanding volunteer contributions as a water rescue service first responder and with youth sports programs
Alain Bergeron of Eastern Passage
- in recognition of his outstanding volunteer contributions to facilitate recreational activities for members of the community with accessibility challenges
Raymond Donovan of Ingonish
- in recognition of his 30+ years of dedicated volunteer service to his local Volunteer Fire Departments and the Ingonish Waterfront Project, as well as his devoted leadership as the Chief
Charla Dorrington of Lantz
- in recognition of her selfless support to Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and her lifetime of volunteer work for at-risk members of the community
Daisy Gavel of Lower Sackville
- in recognition of her 32+ years of dedicated volunteer service to the Canadian Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) and Royal Canadian Legion
Michael Gray of Middle Sackville
- in recognition of his 40+ years of volunteerism in the fields of amateur sport and community safety
Timothy Hinds of Havre Boucher
- in recognition of his outstanding volunteer service as a Cadet Instructor, volunteer firefighter, and local event First Aid instructor/provider
Joseph Landry of Dartmouth
- in recognition of his outstanding volunteer work with the Salvation Army to support at-risk and less fortunate citizens at risk, as well as his tireless efforts to the Christmas Campaign
Robert Lee of Mount Uniacke
- in recognition of his outstanding volunteer contributions to facilitate recreational activities for members of the community with accessibility challenges
Elizabeth MacDonald of North Sydney
- in recognition of her outstanding dedication to the health, safety, and well-being of the community through her volunteer efforts in local Fire & Rescue, the Atlantic Burn Camp, the Hospital Foundation, and the Christmas Parade and Canada Day Committees
Kenneth MacDonnell of Middleton
- in recognition of his outstanding service to the Town of Digby and the local hospital
Joseph O’Brien of Eastern Passage
- in recognition of his outstanding service spanning several years as a Lieutenant in the RCSU(A) Reserve Unit, and a volunteer in the community of Lower Sackville
Kevin Saccary of Port Morien
- in recognition of his 30+ years of service to Cape Breton as a Municipal Councillor, serving on public safety and planning committees, and with community development organizations
James Scrivens of Eastern Passage
- in recognition of his outstanding service as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Corps in Sheet Harbour
Robert Smol of Port Howe
- in recognition of his outstanding efforts as an advocate for the modern veteran through his actions as a commissionaire, journalist, and local educator
Todd Hubley of Halifax
- in recognition of his volunteer contribution to his church and community, including his involvement with South Shore Minor Hockey, the LaHave River Yacht Club, and YMCA youth programs
Glenn MacIsaac of Fall River
- in recognition of his outstanding leadership, guidance, and vision in maintaining critical security services throughout the province while providing short-term employment to hundreds of Nova Scotians affected by layoffs during the Covid-19 pandemic
We would also like to recognize commissionaires John Brewer of Sydney and Kevin Tulk of Dartmouth, who each received a QPJ medal independently of the nominations submitted by our organization.
