In 2005 the Grand Chapter of The Equestrian, Secular and Chapterial Order of Saint Joachim established The Canadian Commandery to better serve its growing membership in that country. In 2025 H.E. The Chevalier Edward (Ted) McNabb, GCJ, BA, LL.B., FRSA, FRHSC became the Commander of Canada, succeeding H.E. Lieutenant (N) the Chevalier Sean E. Livingston GCJ. H.E. The Chevalier McNabb was previously the first commander of the Macdonald-Cartier Sub-Commandery in created to better serve its members in the Ottawa area.
Chevalier McNabb is Past President of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. His work with heraldry has resulted in him being twice honoured by the Canadian Government, receiving the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and by the American State of Kentucky in 2015 by being made a Kentucky Colonel. He worked as political aide to five Members of Parliament and two Senators for almost 13 years. His policy areas of responsibility included Canada-United States agricultural trade; income support (pensions and unemployment insurance), foreign affairs and economic policy including North American trade issues. He also acted as a researcher specializing in the area of the development of parliamentary democracy.
Chevalier McNabb is retired from the Department of Justice Canada’s Legal Aid Directorate where he was responsible for court orders against the Canadian government for funded defence counsel. He currently serves as Eastern Ontario Regional Chair of St. John Ambulance.
H.E. The Chevalier Edward (Ted) McNabb, GCJ, BA, LL.B., FRSA, FRHSC succeeds H.E. Lt. (N) the Chevalier Livingston GCJ as the fifth Commander of Canada. The previous Commanders of Canada were the late H.E. The Chevalier M. Nugent Schneider GCJ, and before him H.E. The Chevalier Stephen Lautens GCJ, who now serves as Grand Master.
Chevalier McNabb can be reached at mcnabb@stjoachimorder.org.
The Canadian Commandery is incorporated as a federal Canadian not-for-profit corporation and organizes and supports members of The Order of Saint Joachim in Canada. It also conducts in Canada the Ceremony of Admission and elevation to Knighthood. Its social schedule includes dinners and other events, including an annual charity wine or spirits tasting and Trafalgar Night dinner.
The Canadian Commandery has the same mission and is committed to the same charitable objects as its parent body, The Order of Saint Joachim, namely:
- the promotion of religious tolerance and understanding;
- supporting orphans and children’s charities;
- assisting the sick, aged and homeless; and,
- the promotion of chivalric ideals in society.
In addition, the Canadian Commandery supports specifically Canadian charities and causes of its choice. In Canada the Order also works through its charitable arm, the Noble Hearts Foundation, a registered Canadian charity – Charitable Registration Number: 83471 3000 RR0001. As of the beginning of 2020, the Canadian Commandery and The Noble Hearts foundation has assisted in raising over $250,000 for local and international charities.
The Canadian Commandery also has a Gore-Niagara Sub-Commandery under Capt. the Chevalier Jason Burgoin KCJ, serving members of the Order in southern Ontario, west of Toronto. The Gore-Niagara Sub-Commandery is famous for its annual Trafalgar Night Dinner, celebrating the hero of Trafalgar, and member of the Order of Saint Joachim, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.
For additional information about the Canadian Commandery of The Order of Saint Joachim, including admission inquiries, please contact the Commander.
