Scarborough, Ontario
Captain (Retired) John Atkin, CD has dedicated over 20 years to Commissionaires Great Lakes and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program and has assisted many Veterans to find meaningful employment after their service.
Over the last 20 years, John has taken on several volunteer roles. John spent many years as a volunteer member of the Commissionaires Advisory Committee. As chair of the Commissionaires Advisory Committee, during his off-duty hours, he visited commissionaires posted around the city to gather feedback.
Currently, John holds the position of Senior Director of Military and Veterans Relations at Commissionaires Great Lakes. John has assisted many Veterans in gaining meaningful employment in the security industry. Since 2001, John has helped hundreds of Veterans find meaningful employment following their military service.
John has been a member of the Commissionaires Ceremonial Marching Unit since it began in 2011. This unpaid unit attends military and civilian parades in Ontario as well as funerals of Veterans. John helped this unit become a reality in 2011 and is always ready to volunteer his time to pay respects to his fellow Veterans.
In 2015, John became the first commissionaire ever to volunteer to serve with the RCMP’s Health and Safety Committee in Toronto. In 2019, John became a member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute. John is also a long serving member of The Royal Canadian Legion and volunteer with the Warrior’s Day Parade.
John is the founder and leader of the Duke of Edinburgh Award program within the Commissionaires. He has helped a number of young commissionaires and young Canadian Armed Forces members receive the prestigious award.