News Release

Commissionaires and DND Join Forces to Support Injured Veterans

DND RTW MOU signing
Front row (L-R): Rear Admiral Andrew Smith, Chief Military Personnel,
and Paul Guindon, Chairman of Commissionaires
Back row (L-R): Rainer Haussner, Jim Britton, Lise Gallant, Colleen Capstick,
Dan Berthiaume (veterans/commissionaires)
Photo by Master-Corporal Roy McClellan, National Defence Department
 

Memorandum of Understanding on new “Return to Work” program signed

November 2, 2010, Toronto, ON – The Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces (CF), and Commissionaires announce the signing of the Return to Work (RTW) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide employment to veterans injured in the line of duty. The MOU was signed 1 November 2010 at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our CF members,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “This new initiative will provide our men and women in uniform recovering from injuries another avenue to ensure a smooth transition back to active military service or civilian life.”

The Return to Work program is designed to assist the recovery of CF members injured as a result of their military service. Commissionaires is experienced in matching the skills and training of CF veterans by providing them with employment opportunities tailored to their individual situations. The outcome of the program is either reintegration back to their military duties in the CF, or a successful transition to a post-military career. This program equally applies to the spouses of deceased CF or Reserve personnel.  

“Military members return home with outstanding skills and expertise and a desire to continue making a contribution. This program is all about giving them that opportunity in a familiar and supportive environment. We’re proud to be part of it,” said Jim Watts, CEO Commissionaires Great Lakes. “Our mandate is to provide meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities to veterans; a mandate that is as relevant today as it ever has been.”

“For 21 years, I got used to a certain kind of structure, discipline and lifestyle in the military,” said Stan Rushton, Great Lakes commissionaire. “I really missed it once I retired from the Canadian Forces. I’m far too young to retire for good, so I was hoping I could find a second career where I could fit in—and I do fit in at Commissionaires. People can relate to what I’ve been through and I like the camaraderie. I’m proud that this company recognizes, values and goes out of their way to hire former members of the military. As a recruiter who is now involved with the Return to Work program, it’s an even greater honour to be a part of the process and give back to the military community.”  

Commissionaires is a private, wholly Canadian, not-for-profit national corporation led by veterans at the service of veterans. As a premier national security provider protecting people, property, assets and information, Commissionaires offers a broad spectrum of services that translates into many varied and interesting employment opportunities for their 20,000 members.

“We have a proven track record supporting injured CF members and veterans,” adds Watts. “We’ve been doing it for decades with excellent results. CF members and modern veterans can count on Commissionaires.”


About Commissionaires
Commissionaires was founded to provide meaningful employment for former Canadian Forces and RCMP personnel. The organization has long been recognized as Canada’s premier security provider, protecting people and property for public and private sector clients from coast to coast. Whil employing leading-edge technology in delivering security services, Commissionaires has remained true to its roots by providing employment to those making the transition to civilian life after active service in the military and police forces. The organization also hires many reliable and responsible individuals without military or police experience. Commissionaires’ services and security solutions include: security guarding, enforcement, identification services, training and security consulting. The integrity, strong work ethic, proven skills and discipline of Commissionaires give clients confidence and security everyday, everywhere.

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For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Fox   
Communications & Media Relations   
T 416 515 7517 E 350   
C 416 473 9565   
fox@thornleyfallis.com

Donna D’Arcy
Commissionaires
T 416 364 4496 E 444
C 416 458 0276
ddarcy@commissionaires.ca

 

Additional Information and Imagery

Commissionaires and DND MOU background information.

Veterans working with Commissionaires describe their experience.  

Download High Quality Broadcast MP4 of Commissionaires DND MOU b-roll

 

Embed this video on your website or online news site. Get the embed code.

View additional video footage of veterans working at Commissionaires.


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