Calgary businesswoman to meet the Queen Consort as part of new military role | 24CA News

Calgary entrepreneur Manjit Minhas has been named the brand new honorary lieutenant-colonel for the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and can be assembly with the Queen Consort this week.

The co-founder and CEO of Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Winery is well-known for her appearances on Dragon’s Den however she has no army expertise on her resume — till now.

“When the Armed Forces and the Queen’s Own Rifles reached out, I first thought it was spam. I didn’t think it was real,” Minhas stated.

On January 22, Minhas was was appointed to the function of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel at a ceremony in Toronto.

Minhas will promote the unit’s welfare and supply mentorship to its leaders.

“There definitely is a lot going on, and I look forward to communicating that and being an ambassador for not only the Regiment but for the Armed Forces,” Minhas stated.

She’ll additionally assist with recruitment — in an effort to make the Armed Forces look extra like Canada does.

The Canadian Armed Forces, which has lengthy struggled to spice up the variety of ladies in its ranks, hopes to have them signify one-quarter of members by 2026.

“Choosing an incredible representative like Manjit as our honorary lieutenant colonel, I’m very hopeful that we can we can attract and retain more female members as well as members from the various different communities within Toronto,” stated commanding officer of QOR Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Moody.

“Specifically, I recall when I was in Afghanistan we were doing work with women’s groups, having women who could support us that were serving with us was critically important in building those relationships, and working with the women in Afghanistan at that time,” Moody stated.

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada is a Primary Army Reserve infantry regiment based mostly in Toronto. Founded on April 26, 1860, it’s the oldest constantly serving infantry regiment in Canada.

Moody stated the regiment has some roots in Calgary.

“There was a point where we were a full-time unit and we were stationed both in Calgary and in Victoria,” Moody stated.

Minhas stated she hopes to carry optimistic change through the time in her new function.

“I think the armed forces are very open to understanding how they need to change and how they have to do so consciously not only to include Canadians of all types, but also to take responsibility and accountability for the past,” Minhas stated.

Her Majesty Queen Consort Camilla is the colonel-in-chief of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

Less than two weeks into the job, Minhas has a viewers with the Queen Consort at Buckingham Palace on Feb. 1.

“I’m excited. It’s an opportunity to talk about things not only as a Canadian but as a woman. I’m interested to talk and ask her questions and for her to have questions of me,” Minhas stated.

In fiscal 12 months 2022-23 to this point, the CAF Regular Force has enrolled 471 females, representing 14.62 per cent of whole enrolments. That is similar to the final fiscal 12 months that noticed feminine enrolments representing 14.4 per cent of whole enrolments.

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