CAA Manitoba History - Service since 1904
What originally began as a club of a dozen early motorists in Manitoba has now grown to become CAA Manitoba, one of our province's oldest existing companies and largest consumer organizations, with 160,000 members. CAA Manitoba members are also part of the Canadian Automobile Association, a nation-wide association of more than 4.5 million members, through an affiliation with every CAA club in Canada. As well, CAA is affiliated with AAA (the American Automobile Association), making a total membership for the two clubs of some 44 plus million members.
1899
Just three years after Henry Ford brought out his first gasoline automobile, the first automobile arrives in Winnipeg a gasoline-powered, three-wheeled velocipede, described in local newspapers as "a gasoline bicycle owned by Professor Kenrick of St. John's College."
1904
Winnipeg Automobile Club (WAC) is founded. The new club boasts 12 members and is the first club of its type in Canada. Its mandate: to make travelling by car as easy, safe and enjoyable as possible, and to protect the rights of motorists, at a time when many were suspicious of the noisy, new-fangled contraptions.
1905
A.C. Emmett (Ace) is appointed secretary of WAC. For nearly 40 years, until his retirement in 1954, Mr. Emmett was Mr. Manitoba Motor League or Mr. Highways to Manitobans, serving as a tireless advocate for drivers.
1906
Automobiles continue to increase in popularity, with 20 makes now available for sale in Winnipeg. By 1908 nearly 100 cars of all descriptions are on the streets of Winnipeg, ranging from the small $500 runabout to the luxurious $6,000 touring vehicle.
1908
Registration of automobiles in Manitoba officially begins, with the passing of the provincial Motor Vehicle Act.
WAC sponsors its first endurance run of 460 miles (740 km), to test the reliability of the automobile. Frequent runs, races and other social outings follow.
1909
Official opening of Stonewall Auto Club, the country home of the Winnipeg Auto Club, located at the Goldborough Farm, Stonewall. WAC establishes the Good Roads Association, to improve roads outside Winnipeg.
1913
WAC unites with representatives of not-for-profit provincial and municipal automobile clubs across Canada to form the Canadian Automobile Federation (CAF) at a meeting in Toronto. In 1916, CAF's name is changed to the Canadian Automobile Association, with incorporation following in 1923. (Nine American clubs had previously banded together in 1902 to found the early American Automobile Association, or AAA.)
WAC leases Lower Fort Garry and operates it as the Motor Country Club. First Road Guide prepared.
1914
WAC and the Manitoba Motor League rent offices together at the Industrial Bureau. Reciprocal memberships are offered by both clubs. The Club provides military transport services during World War I.
1918
Manitoba Motor League is incorporated as a not-for-profit membership organization by an act of the Manitoba Legislature, operating under the direction of a member-elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to provide automobile-related services to its members.
1920
Ace Emmett develops a numbered highway marking system for the League. Mr. Emmett, appointed secretary-manager of the Club in 1918, was an automobile editor of the Manitoba Free Press. Under his direction, the early CAA Manitoba made frequent presentations before government, arguing the case for better roads.
1922
WAC and Manitoba Motor League merge as Manitoba Motor League (MML).
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. MML moves to new quarters on Main Street, Winnipeg.
1937
The League issues first licence plates as a government agency.
1943
Post-war road plan submitted to the Manitoba government by MML.
1947
Membership rises to 2,000 members.
1950's
A decade marked by increased club involvement in traffic safety issues, including the start of a driver courtesy campaign in 1951, proposal for seat belt code in 1955, and the start of a driver training program in 1959.
1952
New MML offices opens on Donald Street in Winnipeg.
1955
New branch location opens in Brandon, in the Chamber of Commerce Building. Later relocated to 8th Street in 1958, then to 940 Princess Avenue, and is currently on 18th Street.
1961
The League takes a policy stand against gas taxes, the first of many such campaigns.
1964
MML's 60th anniversary celebrated, with membership at 33,000. New services introduced, including auto and travel insurance (under MML Insurance Inc.) and a travel agency, now known as CAA Travel.
1966
MML moves to Carlton Street, Winnipeg.
1967
League's members vote in favour of breathalyzer legislation. Membership nears 42,000.
1972
MML moves to new building on Empress Street, Winnipeg.
1978
A network of MML-approved repair and garage facilities begun, called Approved Auto Repair Service (AARS).
1979
MML celebrates its 75th anniversary, with more than 66,000 members.
1986
The club reaches its 100,000-member milestone.
1987
MML branch location opens on St. Anne's Road, Winnipeg
1989
Third Winnipeg location opens on McPhillips Street.
1992
Digital dispatch for Emergency Road Services (ERS) is introduced, making CAA Manitoba one of the first AAA/CAA clubs to bring in the new technology of computerized and dispatching.
1993
Manitoba Motor League becomes known as CAA Manitoba, to reflect its position as part of the Canadian Automobile Association, a national organization.
1994
CAA Manitoba opens its new TeleCentre. In addition to 24-hour Emergency Road Service, the new TeleCentre now provides many membership services at extended hours.
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, and launches this web site!
2004
CAA Manitoba celebrates its 100th Anniversary, with over 160,000 members. CAA becomes one of the oldest existing companies and largest consumer organization in Manitoba.
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