Wood Buffalo RCMP recognizes community contributions made by Sgt. Harry AIMÉ

November 17, 2025 - Fort McMurray, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

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Fort McMurray, Alta. – Wood Buffalo RCMP is recognizing the community contributions made by Sgt. Harry Aimé. During the course of his 25-year career, Sgt. Aimé made a continuous impact to the communities he served. He worked in Québec, Ontario, Nunavut (NWT at the time) and Alberta.  Sgt. Aimé’s community contribution continued beyond policing. Sgt. Aimé’s accomplishments included being the 1^st RCMP officer posted to Resolute Bay Detachment.  In May of 1947, Sgt. Aimé traveled on a US transport ship out of Boston, MA to open a new detachment at Winter Harbour, NWT. He joined Americans on the ship that were going to set up a weather station in the Arctic when winter ice prevented their arrival. This then caused Sgt. Aimé and the RCMP to establish the new detachment in Resolute Bay.

Although he retired from the RCMP in 1965, he became the first stipendiary Magistrate in Fort McMurray. In 1973, the Honourable Judge Harry Aimé recognized a gap in community services as numerous children were being sent to live out of their home communities. He envisioned a Society that could help children and families while allowing these children, who could not remain in the family home to at least remain in their community. He founded the St. Aidan’s Society in Fort McMurray.  With this, St. Aidan’s House Society was formed, and a group home was opened.

Cpl. Paul Britton, a former Wood Buffalo RCMP police officer, was posted to Resolute Bay as the Detachment Commander. He learned of Sgt. Aimé’s connection between Resolute Bay and Fort McMurray.  In recognition of the RCMP’s community relationships, Cpl. Britton wished to bring a part of Sgt. Aimé’s legacy from Resolute Bay to Fort McMurray. Cpl. Britton, arranged to have the Canadian Flag from the Resolute Bay Detachment mounted and presented to Fort McMurray’s - St. Aidan’s Society.  For more than 50 years, St. Aidan’s Society has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the community—shifting from its early focus on children and families to supporting people throughout their aging journey. Today’s strong foundation is built on the roots planted by Judge Harry Aimé.

The RCMP pride themselves in making impactful and long lasting community connections, not only locally but on both the National and International stage. No other police force in Canada provides this level and variety of services. The RCMP remain committed to building a police service that reflects the communities we serve.

St. Aidan's Society - Social Profit Organization

Harry Hampton Aimé - 2016 - Fort McMurray Today

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