Canadian Commissionaires

Captain George Vondrasek of Victoria, British Columbia

Commissionaire"The fact that for well over a century, The British Monarchy has supported Commissionaires is a symbol of respect and appreciation for the important work of the organization," noted George Vondrasek. "Today, I was reminded of just how proud I am to be a Commissionaire."

Captain George Vondrasek dedicated 32 years of service to the Canadian Forces, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1997. During his military career, he was deployed on United Nations peacekeeping missions - to Cyprus (one tour) to Golan Heights, Israel (one tour) and with NATO-assigned forces in Europe (two tours, 7 years). He also served for several years in the Canadian Airborne Regiment and as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Third Battalion (Royal Canadian Regiment). He received his American parachutist wings while jumping with the American 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also jumped as far north as the Arctic and as far south as Camp Blanding, Florida. In 1994, he had the honour of meeting His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment, during a Royal Visit to Halifax.

Captain Vondrasek joined Commissionaires in 1997. His commitment to parking enforcement has resulted in an expanded role which today includes Parking Enforcement Administrator and providing a wide range of security services for the City of Victoria.

Captain Vondrasek is a recipient of the Special Service Medal, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, Confederation of Canada Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration, Commissionaires Long Service Medal and the Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal.

Extremely fit, he has been training for and running marathons for seven years.

Chief Warrant Officer Wesley Kopp of Regina, Saskatchewan

Commissionaire"I'm proud to be involved with an organization that has such a long and distinguished history, and that has been supported so strongly by the monarchy from the very start," noted Wesley Kopp. "I served 25 years in the Canadian Forces and I'm grateful that Commissionaires was there when I finished my service."

Chief Warrant Officer Wesley Kopp served for 25 years in the 1st and 2nd Bn Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment in Canada, Germany and Cyprus. Only four days after retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1981, he joined Commissionaires.

Over the past nearly three decades with Commissionaires South Saskatchewan, CWO Kopp has always dedicated himself when and where most needed - including but not limited to enforcement, dispatch, recruitment, payroll, training, security operations and various leadership positions. As a direct result of his experience and professionalism, he has also played key roles in developing and advancing many Commissionaires programs, processes and security protocols. Today, CWO Kopp is a Supervisor of a 40-person detachment overseeing a wide range of security needs at the Regina International Airport.

Proud of his Métis ancestry, the Saskatchewan Métis Society successfully nominated him for the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. He has also been awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 Medal, the Commissionaires Long Service Medal and the Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal.

Sgt Scott Harris of Toronto, Ontario

Commissionaire"I was thrilled to have been chosen to be one of the six Canadian Commissionaires to participate in this special Royal ceremony," said Scott Harris. "Meeting the Queen is a measure of respect for Commissionaires as an organization."

Scott Harris served in the Canadian Forces for 24 years, retiring as a Sergeant and joining Commissionaires in 2003. During his military career, Sgt Harris served with the 8th Canadian Hussars on NATO duty in Germany and served in the Reserves with the Queen's York Rangers until 2005.

As a commissionaire, he first worked in traffic and parking control at Toronto Pearson International Airport, during which time he quickly earned respect for his exceptional customer relations skills and ability to diffuse volatile situations. This led to his promotion to the rank of Sergeant Supervisor, where today he oversees the security needs of the Canadian Border Services Agency - including the removal of individuals from the Toronto Pearson International Airport and their detainment in a holding cell for the purposes of possible deportation.

Sgt Harris is a graduate of the Commissionaires National Supervisors Course and the Commissionaires Instructor's Course. He is also a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch 234.

Commissionaire Wayne Doucette of Ottawa, Ontario

Commissionaire"Coming from Ottawa, and as a veteran, I'm used to ceremonies. In fact, I took part in an Honour Guard in Prince Edward Island for a Royal visit when I was only 15," commented Wayne Doucette. "But this journey to England and seeing the Queen was wonderful and reinforces Commissionaires' special place in history and society."

Commissionaire Wayne Doucette served 24 years in the Canadian Forces and four years in the Reserves. During his military career, he was deployed as a radio operator on multiple tours - to Germany (NATO, 1 tour), Egypt (Canadian Contingent United Nations Middle East, 1 tour), Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, 1 tour), Golan Heights in Israel and Syria (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, 3 tours) and Cyprus (United Nations Force in Cyprus, 4 tours). He has also received the Canadian Forces Decoration with the clasp, the Special Service Medal and the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.

Cmre Doucette was inspired by his stepfather, a WWII veteran and former commissionaire of more than 20 years, to launch a second career as a private security professional at Commissionaires Ottawa. Over the years, he has been posted at the RCMP (6 years), Revenue Canada Agency (6 years) and Emergency Measures Organization (2 years). Since 2004, he has been providing access control at Industry Canada. He is also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion (19 years), the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, Ottawa Chapter (16 years) and a life member of the Signallers Club of Canada (since 1990).

This will be the second time that Cmre Doucette has had the honour of being in Her Majesty's presence. Back when he was a 15-year-old Boy Scout, he served as a Guard of Honour at the front gate of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island's mansion during a Royal Visit.

Major Raymond Bernier of Montréal, Québec

Commissionaire"I'm honoured to serve in Commissionaires and it has been a privilege for me to represent the organization at this special occasion," noted Raymond Bernier. "Being here is a reminder of how important the work of Commissionaires is to so many Canadian veterans."

Now a Major, Raymond Bernier first joined Commissionaires in 1997 as a retired Chief Warrant Officer with the Military Police (28 years of service). In his early years, Major Bernier was assigned to the close protection team for the Queen Mother during a royal visit to Canada (1975). He was later deployed on NATO tours in Germany (1982-1987) and two peacekeeping missions to Cyprus. He has also conducted national and international investigations, including but not limited to the Somalia Inquiry.

Today, Major Bernier has the responsibility and distinction of serving as Security Supervisor for all commissionaires assigned to Department of National Defence establishments throughout the province of Québec.

Major Bernier is a Member of the Order of the Military Merit and has also been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Special Service Medal with the NATO bar, the United Nations Force Medal in Cyprus, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, and the Commissionaire Long Service Medal

Commissionaire John Lorne McIntosh of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Commissionaire"I was deeply honoured to have been selected to make this wonderful journey to London to meet the Queen," commented John Lorne McIntosh. "It feels like I've come full circle. In 1959, I was part of the Royal Guard inspected by the Queen when she visited Halifax. This just makes me so proud to be part of this."

Commissionaire John McIntosh is a veteran of 37 years in the Navy and retired as a chief petty officer 1st class. Nearly 50 years ago, Cmre McIntosh was an able seaman and part of the Royal Guard when Her Majesty presented her Colours to the Royal Canadian Navy in June of 1959 during a special ceremony at The Wanderers Grounds in Halifax.

In 1994, Cmre McIntosh joined Commissionaires Nova Scotia and today he is posted at the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Dartmouth. His career highlights include being awarded the Star of Courage for his bravery on board HMCS Nipigon off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1979, when he put himself in grave danger to help thwart a serious situation caused when a boiler gasket blew. He was also appointed a member of the Order of Military Merit for exemplary service, received the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation and was just recently honoured with the Commissionaire Distinguished Service Medal.

The HMCS Scotian Naval Reserve Unit in Halifax is special to the McIntosh family. This was where Cmre McIntosh met his wife-to-be Margaret who was a member of the Reserve unit in 1959. Over the years, all five of their daughters have also served at the unit.