As Canada’s only national not-for-profit security company, Commissionaires has a proven history of duty, integrity, and service.

The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was founded in 1925 to provide employment to those who had served during the First World War. This commitment is entrenched in its social mandate to provide meaningful employment to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, members of their families and others who wish to contribute to the safety and security of the country. Today, Commissionaires remains Canada’s largest private employer of veterans who apply their specialized skills as part of a national workforce of 22,000.

“It’s the connection to military and security culture that makes Commissionaires such a natural fit for veterans transitioning to civilian life,” says Terry Hunter, a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and Vice President, Client Services with Commissionaires Great Lakes. “Veterans are well represented at all levels of the organization including governance and leadership, working alongside civilians to fulfill our social mandate. It’s a deliberate choice that helps veterans feel at home.”

Structure and Belonging

The importance of a sense of service and belonging cannot be overstated. This seamless transition is crucial as many veterans struggle to find their footing in the civilian world, often feeling adrift and disconnected from the structure and camaraderie they once knew. The structured, disciplined environment of Commissionaires provides familiarity and purpose that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

This was the case for Hunter, who recalled the challenges of transitioning from military life to a more traditional corporate role.

“It was a shock to me when I left the military and went to work in a civilian job. In the military, you’re trained so well and to such a high standard as team member that if your surroundings are not to your expectations, it can be a letdown.”

Long known for its security of federal government and military properties, Commissionaires provides services to many residential and commercial clients including residential and office buildings, warehouses and distribution centres, commercial enterprises and more.

Veterans who work for Commissionaires take pride in having permission to display their service ribbons as part of their uniform.

“When people enter a building and they see someone in uniform with their service ribbons displayed, you know that person served the country,” Hunter says. “That goes a long way.”

Veterans: A Perfect Fit for Security

Offering a wide variety of security services including access control, concierge and reception services, parking monitoring, visitor registration and mobile patrol, Commissionaires has ample ability to deliver with law enforcement and military veterans being particularly well-suited to these positions. Commissionaires also provides employee background checks, fingerprinting and ID services, and alarm response services.

“The work involves multitasking, customer service, and attention to detail—at which all our veterans excel. If you take a condominium for example with a staff member in uniform sitting at the front desk, their job is not only to protect the building but, as the first point of contact with all who enter, our guards need to respond well to every resident in that building and their guests. Our veterans are customer service oriented and have the security background and training to ensure that unauthorized persons are not provided access.”

For Hunter, being part of the Commissionaires is a way to continue serving his country, even if it is not in the traditional military sense. “It’s an organization that’s committed to Canada, and organizations within Canada,” he summarizes. “We offer security with purpose. I get the feeling of giving something back every day, and it feels good.”

To learn more, visit https://commissionaires-cgl.ca/ or call 416-364-4496