History
Commissionaires UK 1859-1865
With the return of servicemen to Manitoba after the First World War, combined with the Great Depression and severe drought and crop losses, there was high unemployment. A number of concerned and influential Manitoba businessmen with military backgrounds were aware of an organization modeled on the British Corps of Commissionaires. The Canadian version of this organization started in Montreal in 1925 in order to relieve the seemingly endless unemployment. This group researched the potential for creating a similar entity in Manitoba.
March 18, 1928
A meeting was held at the Fort Garry Hotel on Broadway on May 10, 1937 between Colonel J.Y. Reid, chairman, along with several other members of the Manitoba Steering Committee and Major W.B.M. King, the president of the Corps of Commissionaires in Montreal. The Manitoba division was officially formed on January 6, 1938.
May, 1937
Immediately, the Manitoba division began seeking opportunities for employment and identified deserving ex-servicemen who would be suitable. In 1938 the division secured its first client, Trans Canada Airlines from which began a strong relationship with the air services industry.
During the Second World War, commissionaires guarded and provided surveillance services to the Dominion Industries Ltd. Munitions factory in Transcona and various temporary flying schools. In 1942, the Manitoba division became incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the name “Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Manitoba Division”.
After the war, and the “temporary” clients’ needs defunct, Commissionaires was forced to reduce wages and layoff commissionaires. After reaching a strength of 300 in 1945, Manitoba reported only 106 commissionaires by June 1947. Colonel E.A. Pridham, the second Commandant, helped turn around the fledging organization. He is credited with many successes, one of which is forming a partnership with the City of Winnipeg Police Services in 1955. Commissionaires assisted with parking meter bylaw enforcement. Additionally, in the 1960’s a relationship with the RCMP was established, which helped to earn the Winnipeg International Airport as a new client.
In 1995, the division strengthened their partnership with the RCMP and agreed to oversee the administration of the Guards and Matrons employed by RCMP “D” Division.
In 2003 we underwent another, more streamlined name change. We are now Commissionaires Manitoba.