The Canadian Motorist’s ChampionOn September 3, 1913, in Toronto, automobile clubs from across Canada met with the belief that it was the opportune time to form an automobile association for the dominion. The Canadian Automobile Federation later to be re-named the Canadian Automobile Association was born. Today CAA is a federation of nine Member Clubs serving over 5.8 million motorists.

We invite you to Walk the road of our last 100 years.

1897

• The first car in Canada is claimed to have been a Bollée Voiturette owned by Dr. H.E. Casgrain of Quebec.

1898

• The Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) organization is established. It was based in Geneva until it merged with the FIA.

1900

• Dr. Perry Doolittle, CAA’s first president and builder of many bicycles during his childhood and Canada’s first motorcycle, purchased what is claimed to be Canada’s first used car (Winton automobile).

1903• OML Toronto is founded.

1904

• The Royal Automobile Club of Canada is founded in Montreal.

• The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is established based in Paris.

1906• The Victoria Automobile club

is founded.

1912• The Quebec Automobile Club is

founded, based in Quebec City.

1913• The Canadian Automobile Federation

(later renamed Canadian Automobile Association) held its inaugural meeting in Toronto, where several Clubs from across the country applied for member-ship. Mr. Oliver Hezzelwood appointed Provisional President & National Chair.

1916• CAA successfully negotiates with the

Federal government to allow foreign vehicles to visit Canada for up to 30 days.

• CAA negotiates reciprocal arrangement for recognition of Canadian driving licenses several northern U.S. states.

• Mr. L.B. Howland appointed National President

1917• CAA Saskatchewan forms.

1919• Canada Highway Act passed thanks to

CAA lobbying.

1920• Dr. Perry E. Doolittle appointed

National President.

1920-1922• CAA instrumental in having provincial

legislation changed in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia which moved vehicles from the left to the right side of the road.

1925

• CAA President Dr. Perry Doolittle accompanied by Edward Flickenger from Ford of Canada makes first complete cross-Canada automobile trip in a Canadian-built Model T Ford.

1926• The first Auto Club Emergency Road

Service is launched.

1929• The Quebec Automobile Club launches

a school patrol program.

1931• CAA Joins the AIT.

1934• Mr. R.A. Stapells replaces Dr. Doolittle

as National President.

1936• BC auto clubs launch first emergency

roadside service that includes free towing.• AMA introduces highway patrols on

Harley Davidson motorcycles to help distressed motorists

• Manitoba launches a school patrol program.

1938• AMA driver education is launched in

Calgary, using the first dual-control cars in Canada.

1940• An affiliation of 31 branches across

B.C. amalgamate to become the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA)

• At the start of WWII a tire recycling program is launched to produce material for the war effort.

1949• The Trans-Canada Highway Act is

passed by parliament.

1952• Mr. A.R. Morrison replaces Mr. Stapells

as National President.• CAA issues first Carnet de passage en

Douane to members with the assistance of The AA in the UK.

1953• BCAA affiliates with CAA.

1954• Mr. H.R. Chauncey is appointed

National President.

1956• CAA Joins the FIA.• CAA issues International Driving Permits

(IDP’s) with the help of the AA in the UK.

1957• Mr. A.R. Morrison is re-appointed

National President.• CAA National Office moves to Ottawa. • CAA launches national programs

for safety, official appointments and national legislation advocacy.

1958• CAA national membership

surpasses 500,000.• Car seat belts and radial tires

are introduced.

1959

• The CAA Oval emblem is registered.• Mr. Rowland J. Hastings appointed

National President.

1960

• The first national School Safety Patrol jamboree, organized by CAA, was held in Ottawa. 3,500 patrollers attended and officially greeted by Prime Minister Diefenbaker.

• CAA published the Practices and Policies for School Safety Patrols booklet, intended to be an ongoing reference tool for safety patrols.

1961• Mr. H.T. (Bert) Newell is appointed

National President.• CAA lobbies provinces to allow drivers

to visit other provinces using their pink slip insurance certificate.

• CAA assumes responsibility from AAA for approving lodgings in Canada.

1962

• BCAA launches the first club-owned ERS fleet in North America

• CAA caravan of motor vehicles crosses Canada using the Trans-Canada Highway to celebrate its opening.

1963

• Mr. C.G. Carter is appointed National President.

• School Safety Patrol Lifesavers medal introduced.

1964• A Stone cairn unveiled at the half-way

point of the Trans Canada near Sault Ste. Marie to commemorate Dr. Perry Doolittle, “Father of the Trans- Canada highway”

1965• Mr. F.T. Jenner is appointed

National President.• CAA National:

– publishes Sportsmanlike Driving and Foreign Travel Manual

– launches Passport and Visa Service in concert with Clubs

1966• CAA secures authority from all provinces

to be the sole issuer of Canadian International Driving Permits to all Canadians.

1967-1968• Mr. Guy Renaud is appointed

National President.• CAA national membership surpasses

1 million.

1969• Mr. Grant G. Brown is appointed

National President.

1970• Canada introduces the new Motor

Vehicle Safety Act establishing safety standards for new vehicles including permissible exhaust emission levels.

• Homeowner and tenant insurance for members is introduced.

1971• Mr. William E. Elliott is appointed

National President.

1973• Mr. Fred R. Paxton is appointed

National President.

1974

• The Readers Digest Books program was launched with the release of Explore Canada illustrated guide.

1975• Mr. Charles J. Clark is appointed

National President.• CAA teams with the federal govern-

ment to promote the voluntary fuel conservation program “Gas Watchers”.

1976

• The Approved Auto Repair Service becomes a national program.

1977• Ontario Clubs co-sponsor the first

R.I.D.E. program.• Mr. Cyril E. Shaw is appointed

National President.

1978

• CAA National membership surpasses 1.5 million.

• The first French language version of a CAA/AAA TourBook (Atlantic Provinces & Quebec), under the banner “Guide de la route” was published.

1979• Mr. Robert Genereux is appointed

National President.

1980• CAA launches its first annual Vehicle

Durability Survey with the help of CAA-Quebec.

• CAA Autopinion national new-car testing program launched.

1981• Mr. Robert F. Richardson is appointed

National President.• The first edition of the CAA Used Car

Buyers Guide published using data from the Vehicle Durability Survey.

1983

• CAA national membership surpasses 2 million.

• CAA Plus enhanced membership is launched.

• Mr. Jean-Paul Gagnon is appointed National President.

• BCAA installs the first ERS digital dispatch system in North America.

1984

• First cast bronze CAA Used Car Per-formance Pyramid Award presented to Toyota Canada based on the results of the annual vehicle durability survey.

1985• Mr. Robert G. Brodie is appointed

National President.

1987• Mr. Charles J. Phelan is appointed

National Chair. • All clubs within CAA family are now

direct members of the Association.

1988

• CAA publishes the first edition of the Autopinion Car Buyers Annual.

• Child Restraint Information program, establishes CAA as the primary source for all child seat related information.

1989• CAA national membership surpasses

3 million.• Mr. Denis G. Morand is appointed

National Chair.

1990• CAA announced its Motorists

Environmental Code of Practice.• CAA National established a National

Travel Agency Service office to help facilitate national deals with preferred suppliers.

1991

• Trade-marked national colour scheme for CAA ERS vehicles launched.

• Mr. William E. Selby appointed National Chair

• The Show Your Card & Save program is launched in North America.

1992• Co sponsored with Ford of Canada

CAA Clubs launches the first Annual Canadian Student Skills competition

1993• Mr. Wayne L. Hooey is appointed

National Chair.

1994

• CAA adopts national standards for the Combat Auto Theft (CAT) program.

1995• Mr. Raymond A. Cadieux is appointed

National Chair.

1997

• The first mobile battery service is launched

• Mr. Paul Dell’Aniello is appointed National Chair.

• Re-designed CAA Membership Card is launched with “swipe” functionality.

• CAA exclusive Personal Accident Insur-ance (PAI) launched.

1999• CAA national membership surpasses

4 million. • Mr. E. Jack Thompson is appointed

National Chair.

2000• Canada’s first club-owned CAA Car

Care Centre opened in Regina • The national CAA Battery Service

Program is launched.• CAA Dollars® program launched for

dollars earned on gas purchases

2001• Mr. J. Crawford Reid is appointed

National Chair. • Internet TripTik available through all

CAA club sites• CAA Credit Card launched nationally

2002• CAA Show Your Card & Save®

loyalty program became an international program.

2003

• CAA launches interclub Best Practices Award of Excellence Competition.

• The annual Worst Road Campaign, since adopted by other CAA Clubs launched by CAA North & East Ontario.

• Mr. Don W. Main is appointed National Chair.

2005–2006• Mr. William E. Stow is appointed

National Chair.• CAA Premier® Membership launched.

2007• CAA national membership surpasses

5 million.• Mr. David M. Munroe is appointed

National Chair.

2008• ERS service delivery by bicycle launched

in Quebec City • Preferred Tour program launched

2009

• Mr. Robert F. Manuel is appointed National Chair.

• The Green Battery label trade-mark is registered to brand CAA batteries.

• The first roadside assistance service for bicycles launched.

• CAA Savings App released to identify local savings opportunities

2010• Digital version of TourBooks for

e-readers Launched• The CAA Road Safety Journalism Award

is created • The Eco-Calculator tool launched online

to calculate price tag and environment cost of vehicles.

2011• Mr. Pierre Cyr is appointed

National Chair.

2012• CAA App is launched on multiple

mobile platforms, consolidating all existing applications.

2013

• Electrical Vehicle map and website launched

• Online Driving Cost calculator website launched