1899 – The first automobile
arrives in Winnipeg. It is described in local newspapers
as “a gasoline bicycle owned by Professor Kenrick
of St. John’s College.”
1904 – The Winnipeg Automobile
Club (WAC) begins with 12 members and is the first type
of its kind in Canada.
1905 – A.C. Emmett (Ace) is
appointed secretary of WAC. Until his retirement in
1954, Ace was known as Mr. Manitoba Motor League or
Mr. Highways to Manitobans, serving as a tireless advocate
for drivers.
1908 – Registration of vehicles
officially begins in Manitoba, with the passing of the
provincial Motor Vehicle Act.
1909 – WAC establishes the Good
Roads Association, to improve roads outside Winnipeg.
1913 – WAC unites with automobile
clubs from across Canada to form the Canadian Automobile
Federation (CAF) at a meeting in Toronto. Later, in
1916, CAF’s name changes to the Canadian Automobile
Association (CAA), with incorporation following in 1923.
WAC leases Lower Fort Garry and operates it as the
Motor Country Club. First Road Guide prepared.
1914 – The club provides military
transport services during World War I.
WAC and the Manitoba Motor League (MML) join forces
to provide reciprocal memberships.
1922 – WAC and MML merge as
the Manitoba Motor League.
1923 – Under pressure from the
Good Roads Association, the Manitoba government legislates
the numbering of all provincial trunk highways, adopting
the system originated by Ace Emmett.
1926 – MML begins Special Service
Trouble Department, offering roadside assistance to
motorists.
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1947 – Membership rises to 2,000
members.
1955 –
MML opens a branch in Brandon, in the Chamber of Commerce
Building.
1961 – The League takes a policy
stand against gas taxes, the first of many such campaigns.
1964 – MML’s 60 anniversary,
with membership at 33,000.
New services include auto and travel insurance. CAA
Travel, a full-service travel agency, opens.
1972 – MML launches the Approved
Auto Repair Service (AARS), a network of approved repair
and garage facilities.
MML moves its offices to Empress Street.
1979 – MML celebrates its 75th
anniversary, with 66,000 members.
1986 – The club reaches its
100,000 member milestone.
1987 – MML opens a new branch
on St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg.
1989 – Third Winnipeg location
opens on McPhillips Street.
1993 – Manitoba Motor League
evolves into CAA Manitoba, a name change that reflects
its involvement in the federation of clubs with the
Canadian Automobile Association, a national organization.
1998 – CAA Manitoba hits the
150,000 member mark.
2000 – CAA Manitoba expands
its insurance services to include a full line of commercial
and property coverage.
CAA Manitoba goes online and launches its website.
2004 – CAA Manitoba celebrates
its 100th Anniversary, with over 160,000 members.
2005 – CAA Manitoba opens an
Immobilizer Installation Facility, as part of Manitoba
Public Insurance’s anti-theft initiatives.
2006- CAA Manitoba acquires RWM Towing to better expand our services in the Brandon area.
2007 –CAA Manitoba's Brandon Service Centre moves to a new location on 18th Street. CAA Manitoba's Brandon fleet centre also gets a much needed upgrade!
2008 - CAA Manitoba launches a new website.
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