Commissionaires National Archive ID: 2128
The first Commissionaires “companies” were established in 1927 and were based in Montreal (“No. 1 Company”), Toronto (“No. 2 Company”) and Vancouver (“No. 3 Company”). Here is an early photo of No. 3 Company in Vancouver, BC, March 18, 1928.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced Nov. 27 the designation of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires as an event of national historic significance under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration.
The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was founded with the aim of reintegrating veterans of the First World War into civilian life.
The Corps was initially established on July 25, 1925, when five Montréal lawyers received federal authorization to launch an employment assistance program for veterans. This first modest division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in Montréal was followed by other divisions in Toronto and Vancouver in 1927.
Reorganized into a Canada-wide body in 1937, Commissionaires offered war veterans preferred employment status and, over time, focused increasingly on providing security guards for federal installations.
During the Second World War, many of the Corps members left to serve overseas in the various branches of the Canadian Armed Forces or joined other organizations supporting the home front such as the Veterans Guard of Canada. The Veterans Guard provided security at prisoner-of-war camps and military infrastructure such as armament plants. Toward the end of the war, Commissionaires successfully lobbied the federal government for the Right of First Option (later called the Right of First Refusal Policy) on public service security, requiring federal government departments to obtain their security guard services from Commissionaires, guaranteeing quality jobs for its members and their ability to serve the Government of Canada.
The Canadian government, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past.
“For almost a hundred years, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has provided veterans, families of veterans and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with employment support in recognition and commemoration of their valuable role in service to Canada,” Guilbeault said. “Commemoration, or remembrance, helps link our past and our present and helps Canadians learn about the country’s past, in all its richness and complexity.”
Gord Winkel, National Chair for the Commissionaires, stated the organization was honoured to be recognized as part of Canada’s rich history. “In 2025, Commissionaires celebrates 100 years of supporting veterans by providing employment and assisting their reintegration into civilian life,” he added. “This designation is a testament to the enduring legacy of commitment that defines who we are. We are grateful to the Government of Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada for recognizing our century of service to Canada."
Some interesting facts about the Commissionaires:
-The founders of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires were inspired by Governor General, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught who, a decade earlier, had proposed a Canadian organization similar to the British Corps of Commissionaires, which was established in 1859 in England after the Crimean War.
-The October Crisis of 1970 resulted in a review of security requirements for federal buildings and increased responsibilities and training associated with Commissionaires.
-In the late 20th century, Commissionaires continued as a private, not-for-profit organization, and membership eligibility expanded to include not only those with direct war service but also all former members of the Canadian Armed Forces, many of whom had served in peacekeeping roles, and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
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