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About Us - Local History
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Local History |
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With the return of servicemen to Manitoba after the First World War combined with the Great Depression,
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, which had started in Montreal in 1925
in order to relieve the seemingly endless unemployment. This group researched the potential for creating a similar entity.
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” in Montreal.
The Manitoba Division was officially formed on January 6, 1938.
Immediately the Manitoba Division began seeking opportunities for employment and then 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, the 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 of “Canadian Corps of Commissionaires (Manitoba Division)”.
After the war, and the “temporary” clients’ needs defunct, the Commissionaires were forced to reduce wages, and lay-off Commissionaires.
After reaching strength of 300 in 1945, Manitoba reported only 106 Commissionaires by June 1947.
Colonel E. A. Pridham, the second Commandant helped to turn-around the fledgling organization.
He is credited with many successes, one of which is forming a partnership with the City of Winnipeg Police Services in 1955
providing Commissionaires to assist with Parking Meter By-law enforcement. This relationship with the City of Winnipeg still exists today.
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 Guards and Matrons employed by D Division, RCMP.
In 1998, The Manitoba Division changed its name to Manitoba to reflect the larger area being served and
in 2003 the Division adopted a more streamlined working name for daily use - Commissionaires Manitoba.
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