Veterans Affairs committee  I can't answer that.

Veterans Affairs committee  Actually, I could answer, but it's not for me to say.

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, first, on the culture side of things, the armed forces are a multitude of small families from coast to coast that make this big family at the end of the day. The commissionaires are very similar to that. Veterans come with this understanding that teamwork is very important, that it is crucial.

Veterans Affairs committee  We use just about anything that involves word-of-mouth advertising.

Veterans Affairs committee  Absolutely. The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has 15 divisions across the country, so from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Victoria, British Columbia. We had two divisions in Quebec, but they merged, so there's only one left. The Montreal division is actually one of our largest.

Veterans Affairs committee  In Montreal?

Veterans Affairs committee  They all work in security.

Veterans Affairs committee  Organization, leadership, management, training, and the ability to give and follow orders are all in the DNA of former members of the armed forces. It's the same with police officers. It's part of who we are.

Veterans Affairs committee  For a few years now, we have been in regular contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs. In the past, the vast majority of veterans we worked with did not have dealings with the department because they didn't have any medical issues or require support. They were looking for a job.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a very good question, but I don't think Veterans Affairs Canada is best suited to answer that. I think you should put that question to the Canadian Armed Forces. I know for a fact that the armed forces has programs in place to help members with the transition.

Veterans Affairs committee  Of course, the demographic realities we are seeing right now are a factor, but they go back quite a few years. When I joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1971, the Canadian Armed Forces had twice as many troops as they do now, which meant that a lot more members retired every year.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the committee, we appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to participate in your study on the national strategy for veteran employment after service. Commissionaires has been employing veterans since 1925, when the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was established to ensure that veterans returning from the European battlefield had work if they needed it.

Public Safety committee  It's 27% and that's across all positions. In Petawawa, for example, we have a woman who is in charge of 135 commissionaires, men and women. And most of our people there are men because a lot of them are veterans. So in that case, the ratio of women is a bit lower. We'll see what we can do.

Public Safety committee  It's 27%.

Public Safety committee  In some quarters it's positive and they're open to discussing it. In some quarters, which I know very well, it has taken two to three years to get the dialogue going. In other parts, it's a sheer necessity, and they're saying that they can no longer do this and are asking what we could do.