This is it! The final episode dedicated wholly to the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. What a ride. It's been two weeks since we’ve returned from the iconic Games experience, and the rush is still with us. We spent the week scurrying around the city chatting with dozens of individuals about their experiences and gained a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for all of the competitors and their families.
Although only in his early 20s, Keith is no stranger to taking a leadership role during emergency situations. Keith’s ability to remain calm and take immediate action may have saved multiple lives.
Thursday October 5, the evening we’d all be waiting for—well, many of us, anyway. It was finally the book launch date of the highly anticipated, “O Canada! A celebration of 150 years,” at Ottawa City Hall.
The venue was elegant and there was the perfect amount of sweet and savoury snacks, alongside local wine and cheese. The room was abuzz with attendees including sponsors, dignitaries, and, of course, the people who made this project possible represented by Michael Curran and Kimothy Walker.
“I am.” That’s a very powerful phrase. These two words, “I” and “am,” together, followed by specific characteristics, give people the power to define themselves. The effect of this kind of mind-over-matter is not to be downplayed. It can deliver the strength you need to stand up when the world seems to be conspiring to keep you down.
The eight days of Invictus Games Toronto 2017 were packed with action, inspiration and emotion. It's hard to believe the 2017 edition of the Games is now over.
The crowds gathered to see the competitors arrive at the Air Canada Centre and the sold out stands inside the arena were loud and proud, cheering on everyone who participated in the games and the staff and volunteers who made the Games happen.
This episode features excerpts from an interview with commissionaire Russ Treadwell, and a speech delivered by Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan.
Russ Treadwell has been a commissionaire for three years. He joined our Northern Alberta Division after seven years of service, leaving because, as a single dad, he wanted to make sure his son had a connected and caring upbringing.
It's hard to believe we're already half way through #GuardingTheGames.
It turns out that many months of careful planning and coordination is critical to ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible with 1,500 volunteers, 550 athletes (from 17 countries), plus family, friends and the public.
Thankfully, Talyanna Bossokova, Associate Director Client Services, and Russell Dalton, site supervisor at the PanAm centre, were here to help us with the answer. Listen to find out some of the elements for our success.
Welcome to episode 4 of the Commissionaires podcast!
We had the pleasure of chatting with Jermaine Griffith, a commissionaire on site at the Pan-Am centre who has been profoundly impacted by The Invictus Games Toronto 2017.
Additionally, you'll hear from a few more commissionaires and their fantastic stories, however their interviews were faced with some minor technical difficulties. The commissionaires you hear from are, in order:
It's day 3 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 and competition is in full swing.
We're thrilled to share some stories from our commissionaires #GuardingTheGames. We've spoken with new and long-time commissionaires, both veteran and civilian about how their experience with #IG2017 has been, and what being a part of the games means to them. They blew us away with some of their remarks.
General (Ret'd) Walt Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs, kicks off this show. For this episode, we recap the first day of competition with a focus on the powerful statements made at the kick-off press conference. Included excerpts from the press conference (in order) are: