The Beginning

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College was not the first chiropractic school in Ontario. Following the First World War, small colleges sprang up around the province. These included The Toronto College of Chiropractic; The Canadian Chiropractic College; The Robbins Chiropractic College (Sault Ste. Marie); and The Imperial Chiropractic College (Toronto). However, lacking affiliation with a national chiropractic association, all had closed by 1926. As a result, prior to 1945, Canadian wishing to study chiropractic were required to attend colleges in the United States.

“It has started as little more than a vision and a dream. It has turned into an unparallel accomplishment for a dedicated and thriving profession”.

It all began in 1942 when Dr. Walter D. Sturdy and Dr. John Clubine sent letters to the executives of provincial associations to establish a federal chiropractic association.On January 11, 1943, chiropractors representing the Canadian provinces under leadership of Dr. Walter D. Sturdy from Vancouver, gathered in Ottawa to form the profession’s first national organization, the Dominion Council of Canadian Chiropractors. Early members of the Dominion Council included Dr. Walter T Sturdy and John Burton from B.C.; Drs. T. Messenger, J. Haldeman, J.W. Jackson from Alberta; Drs. C.J. L’Ami, J.J. Bramham from Saskatchewan; Dr. L.D. McPhail from Manitoba; Drs. J.S. Clubine, S. F. Sommacal, J.A. Henderson, J. Hetherington, Archie MacFee, H.A. Yates, L.J.R. Holdaway, F.F. Lewis, T. MacRae, C.C. Clemmer, D.V. Hoskins, J.A. Hoskins, J.A. Schnick from Ontario; Dr. Jean-Maurice Gaudet from Quebec; and Dr. Fred L. Wallace from the Maritimes.

Dr. Walter Sturdy was elected President, Dr. John Clubine, Vice-President and John Burton, Secretary.John Burton drew up the constitution and by-laws for the new organization. A federal charter was applied for and obtained in 1943. The Dominion Council of Canadian Chiropractors had three goals; establishing an educational institution in Canada; a strong national organization; and establishing legislation in force for the entire country.

Work began immediately on the first objective. On January 3, 1945, letters patent from the Ontario Provincial Secretary allowed the Dominion Council to create the Canadian Association of Chiropractors, which was granted the authority to establish and conduct schools of chiropractic. The Canadian Association of Chiropractors later changed its name to the Canadian Chiropractic Association. Dr. Sturdy formed a College Committee under the leadership of Dr. John S. Clubine and the rest is history.