Commissionaires Canada marks its 100th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1925, the organization created meaningful employment for veterans of the First World War, and has now grown into one of the country’s most trusted security providers. With approximately 3,500 veterans, it is Canada’s largest employer of veterans.
In 1859, Captain Sir Edward Walter established the original British Corps of Commissionaires in London, England, to provide employment for wounded soldiers. The first eight members were veterans of the Crimean War, all amputees due to their battlefield service. In 1915, H.R.H. Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, then-Governor General of Canada; approached the Military Hospitals Commission to propose a Canadian version of the U.K. Corps. A decade later, that vision came to fruition. July 25, 1925, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was founded by Letters Patent in Montréal. Soon after, in 1927, the first three branches were established in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Commissionaires expanded in 1947 to include former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, reinforcing its commitment to supporting those who had dedicated their lives to national security. In 1950, following Newfoundland’s entry into Canadian Confederation, the Corps established a presence in the new province. With this last Division to join, it solidified Commissionaires’ operations nationwide.
In the decades that followed, the Corps’ workforce evolved. Female veterans and first responders were welcomed. In the 1990s, the Corps also began employing non-veterans to meet the rising demand for security services. Today, amid rapid growth and change, Commissionaires remains a not-for-profit with a social mandate “to provide meaningful employment that meets the needs of veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their families and others who wish to contribute to the security and well-being of Canadians.”
“The centennial is a celebration of our history and recognition of a powerful founding purpose,” says Gord Winkel, Commissionaires national board chair. “Commissionaires was founded to serve those who served, and that commitment remains at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to carry that legacy forward as we support the changing needs of veterans and Canadian communities.”
As technology advances, Commissionaires continues to evolve, enhancing the skillsets of its employees and providing new services. People may know the company for its traditional services, such as guarding, but it now offers integrated services, such as cybersecurity, surveillance, alarm response, fingerprinting and background screening.
In 2024, Commissionaires was designated an event of national historic significance under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration. Special events span 2025, bringing together employees, clients, partners and community members. In March, a commemorative dinner was held at the Montréal Eaton Centre’s ninth floor space, with a design set to the 1930s – a perfect nod to the Corps’ beginnings. The T. Eaton Company Ltd was Commissionaires’ first major private client. In June, a special evening was hosted at Ottawa’s Fairmont Château Laurier during the company’s annual meeting of divisions. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, delivered inspiring remarks. The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa also unveiled a renewed “Commissionaires Way” display, highlighting Commissionaires’ history, including stories of decorated war heroes alongside impressive contemporary commissionaires. Other activities include flag-raising ceremonies at city halls, participation in various community parades, and the illumination of the CN Tower (Toronto) and the Provencher Bridge (Winnipeg) in Commissionaires’ orange and blue.
The organization reinvests profits into veteran support and operational excellence. In 2024, Commissionaires gave back over $850,000, most of which was donated to veteran-related causes. Nationwide, the organization now employs over 20,000 people, across 15 divisions out of more than 50 offices, and from many more client sites.
All Canadians are invited to join the celebration by visiting commissionaires100.ca for the latest updates.
