CBC/Radio-Canada Milestones

2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1901-1939             

1939

• Full coverage of the six-week visit of King George the VI and Queen Elizabeth.
• Declaration of war: a CBC reporting unit goes overseas, and all departments begin special wartime broadcasts.
• Farm broadcasts begin on the English radio network.

1938

• Farm broadcasts begin on the French radio network.

1937

• Opening of the French station CBF Montreal.
• New transmitters in Toronto and Montreal increase national coverage to 76% of the population from 49%.
• The North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (Havana Treaty) gives Canada better frequencies (ratified 1941).

1936

• November 2, the Canadian Broadcasting Act replaces the CRBC with a Crown Corporation, the CBC. CBC takes over CRBC staff and facilities (eight publicly-owned or leased stations and 14 private affiliates).

1933

• The CRBC acquires CN Radio facilities, improves coverage and continues program development.

1932

• First Parliamentary Committee on Broadcasting. Canadian Broadcasting Act creates the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC).

1930

• Canadian Radio League is organized.
• First Canadian television experiments are conducted.

1929

• Aird Commission recommends setting up a nationally-owned company to operate a coast-to-coast system.

1927

• First national broadcast: July 1, Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.

1924

• CN Radio opens its first stations (Ottawa and Moncton) and gradually develops service on about 15 stations.

1923

• CN Railways starts radio service to trains.

1922

• First licensing of private commercial stations.

1919

• First broadcasting licence issued to XWA Montreal (later CFCF).

1913

• Radio Telegraph Act includes voice transmission.

1905

• Canada's first Wireless Telegraph Act.

1902

• First wireless telegraphy station at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

1901

• First transatlantic wireless signal from Cornwall to Newfoundland.