It was a regular Friday shift for the commissionaires working at the Daniel J MacDonald (DJM) building, home of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) HQ in Charlottetown. That is, until the Deputy, Associate and Assistant Deputy Ministers of VAC, General (Ret’d) Walter Natynczyk, Lisa Campbell, and Elizabeth Stuart approached the Commissionaires desk.
Commissionaires across the country ran security operations for various Canada Day festivities, regardless of the record-breaking temperatures.
As they do each year, our Ottawa Division eagerly took on the largest operation of them all, Canada Day in the Capital.
Jim Merritt followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfathers when he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979. His 34-year career took him down many routes, starting as an air frame technician, then switching gears to become a cook. He retired in 2013 as a Chief Warrant Officer.
Two years after leaving the CAF, Jim joined Commissionaires and is now the Mobile Patrol Supervisor for our Northern Alberta Division.
“I was what they called an Army brat – because my dad was military – so I guess I was following in his footsteps.”
Becoming a member of the CAF was almost a rite of passage for Fred Babineau. He served with all three elements—four years with the Army, 26 years with the RCAF, and six years with the RCN. He was deployed during the Gulf War, and spent time in Alert, Resolute Bay, Gulf Port Mississippi, RV 87 - Wainwright Alberta as a Fire fighter, and NATO.
The 19th annual Ceremony of Remembrance for Ontario’s fallen police officers took place at Queen's Park in Toronto on Sunday May 6. Police officers from across Ontario, the United States and Europe gathered in Toronto on Sunday to be part of the commemoration. This year, the Commissionaires Great Lakes Ceremonial Unit was invited to march in the parade.
Many of our divisions across the country are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Our South Saskatchewan Division was a finalist at the April 30 BBB of Saskatchewan Torch Awards Ceremony held in Regina.
The Torch Awards were established to recognize the actions of businesses that display ethical decision-making and integrity in business practices resulting in a positive impact in our communities.
Bruce Riopelle has been a commissionaire with the Ottawa Division for 23 years, nearly matching his 24 years served in the military.
Though he had earned a Canadian Forces Decoration medal and a rosette, colleagues noticed his decorations didn’t match his service history; he was missing a second rosette. Earlier this year, the Commanding Officer of CFS Leitrim, the site at which Bruce works as a commissionaire, personally presented him with his rosette, and allowed him to be Acting Sergeant Major of a parade squadron that day.
In all, four CEOs led our BC Division during Harold Dean’s 22 years as a commissionaire. During his tenure, Harold spent 20 years on the graveyard shift at the 100 Mile House RCMP Detachment. He also worked as the Manager, Detention Guards - RCMP, ensuring the viability of this very important contract.
Harold has built a rapport with our RCMP clientele and his peers.
After 36 years with the military, seven ribbons, and three rosettes, joining Commissionaires was natural for Gerry Blais. In fact, he credits his career in the military as being the reason he joined the Federation.
Gerry, who joined our Ottawa Division in 2016, stressed two things when he spoke with us.
First, ribbon bars do not showcase domestic responsibilities, commitment and service. This includes the role of the military in assisting during emergencies like ice storms and floods on Canadian soil.
The Battle of the Atlantic service is held annually on the first Sunday of May. It remembers the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Canadian Merchant Navy whose lives were lost during the Battle of the Atlantic, as well as all others who died in naval and maritime air service.