DCHP-1 Online
commissioner Hist. 
1 n. in the fur companies, the senior of all the commissioned officers.
- 1907 Sir George Simpson held the position of Governor of the fur trade of the Hudson's Bay Company for very many years and was followed by Governors Dallas, McTavish, Graham and Sir Donald A. Smith . . . after the latter's term of office the title of this position was altered to "The Commissioner."
- 1940 Perhaps no greater tribute could be paid him than that with his retirement the title of Fur Trade Commissioner should cease to exist.
2 n. the chief executive officer of a territorial government.
- 1953 The North-west Territories is still governed by an appointed Commissioner and a Territorial Council on which the majority are appointed.
- 1961 This non-partisan group works with the commissioner, who is an appointed official of the northern affairs department.
3 n. the senior official of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- 1958 The commissioner of the RCMP is one of the appointed members.
4 n. one of various officers having special functions under different levels of government.
- 1822 (1960) . . . poor Mrs. Castup curses the day which made her husband a commissioner of roads.
- 1889 The entire North West is divided into Indian Districts, each of which is under the supervision of an agent, who is again responsible to the Indian Department at Regina, controlled by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
- 1904 The Commissioner of Crown Lands has control of the sale or management of Crown, Clergy lands.
- 1907 Sir George Simpson held the position of Governor of the fur trade of the Hudson's Bay Company for very many years and was followed by Governors Dallas, McTavish, Graham and Sir Donald A. Smith . . . after the latter's term of office the title of this position was altered to "The Commissioner."