History

In the late summer of 1944 the Radio Manufacturers Association of Canada (now the Electro-Federation of Canada) wrote to C.D. Howe, the Minister of Industry, to propose that the government should sponsor, with the industry, a Canadian Radio Technical Planning Board because, in the words of Mr. R.A. Rush, Controller of Radio in the Department of Transport:

“as a result of the war, the technical knowledge of Canadian radio experts and manufacturing facilities have expanded tremendously, and that there seemed no question but that in the post-war period, Canada will play a greater part than it has in the past in the production and design of electronic equipment and broadcasting.” and

“the establishment of the Board “would provide a central fact-finding and recommending body which would be of great assistance to the Government.”

C.D. Howe recognized the merit in this proposal and directed Mr. Rush to convene a meeting to help organize the Board. Rush met with representatives of several associations in Ottawa on 11 September 1944 and the Canadian Radio Technical Planning Board was born as an “association of associations” While, given its statutory responsibilities, the Government could not participate, directly, in the proposed work plan of the Board, Rush decreed that the government wished to avail itself of advice from the industry and would be “only too pleased to do so as regards the C.R.T.P.B”

Mr. R.M. Brophy, President of the Radio Manufacturers Association of Canada was elected as the first Chairman of the CRTPB.

The original sponsor members were:

  • American Radio Relay League (Canadian Section)
  • Canadian Association of Broadcasters
  • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Canadian Electrical Manufacturers Association
  • Institute of Radio Engineers
  • Radio Manufacturers Association of Canada
  • The Railway Association of Canada
  • The Telephone Association of Canada

By late 1945 membership had doubled to 16 associations and the Canadian Standards Association, National Research Council, Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force were assisting in studies being made.