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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1927-2000 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
c. 135 m of textual records c. 39,000 photographs c. 500 architectural drawings 2,487 moving images 46 sound recordings
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
A major Canadian merchandise retailer, Canadian Tire Corporation was founded in Toronto in 1922 by brothers John William (“J.W.”) Billes and Alfred Jackson (“A.J.”) Billes. The business was incorporated under letters patent as Canadian Tire Corporation Limited on December 1, 1927. Both Billes brothers held the position of president of the company: J.W. from 1927 until his death in 1956; and A.J. from 1956 until his resignation in 1966. The company went public in 1944. The corporation is primarily engaged in the merchandising of automotive parts, accessories, tires and service; sports and leisure goods; and home products through a network of Associate Stores operated by Associate Dealer retailers under the Canadian Tire name. The first official Associate Store was opened in Hamilton, Ontario in 1934, and was soon followed by stores in the Maritimes and Quebec. Expansion into western Canada began in Manitoba in 1966, and continued with stores in Saskatchewan in 1972, Alberta in 1974, and British Columbia in 1980. Stores in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon were opened in 1992. At the end of 1999, 440 Associate Stores were in operation across Canada. Canadian Tire provides marketing, distribution, purchasing, financial and information services support to its Associate Dealers. Throughout its history, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited has established a number of subsidiary companies. Prominent among Canadian ventures are Canadian Tire Acceptance Limited (now Canadian Tire Financial Services) which finances and manages customer credit accounts; Canadian Tire Petroleum, Canada’s largest petroleum retailer; and Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited, which acquires and develops land and designs, develops and maintains stores. Other domestic subsidiaries have been involved in automotive parts remanufacturing, construction, lumber and building supplies, travel service, and the import and assembly of bicycles. The company has also ventured into the American retail market with White Stores and Auto Source outlets; invested in an Australian hardware chain; and operated affiliate, branch and buying offices in the Netherlands, England, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The corporation initiated an employee profit-sharing plan in 1957, and its familiar Canadian Tire “Money” customer loyalty reward program in 1958. Initially, the cash discount coupons were issued only at gasoline outlets and redeemable only in Associate Stores, but were extended to store purchases in 1962. Originally limited to Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, the “money” was extended to all of Canada in 1995.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of textual records, audio-visual materials, graphic materials, and architectural drawings relating to the company’s corporate, real estate, marketing and associate operations. Textual records include letters patent and supplementary letters patent; company by-laws; annual and interim reports; financial statements; audit committee minutes; dividend disbursements; records relating to Canadian subsidiaries and foreign operations; records relating to profit sharing plans; real estate site development and maintenance files; land purchase agreements; employee newsletters and updates; Associate Dealer communications; catalogues; weekly advertising flyers; and Canadian Tire “Money.” Audio-visual materials include general materials dealing with corporate strategies and programs, product information and training, employee and dealer activities, news updates, and sales and service training; and radio and television commercials created for Canadian Tire Corporation to promote products, sales, service, and community involvement. The commercials series includes several award-winning titles, including “Albert” and “A Bike Story,” and several Christmas advertisements featuring Scrooge and the French counterpart Gratteux. The graphic materials include photographs, slides and negatives of the Billes family, the Board of Directors, Associate Dealers, stores and distribution centres, employee and dealer events, products and displays. The architectural drawings include ground plans, floor plans and elevations for the construction, expansion and renovation of Canadian Tire Associate Stores. Fonds is comprised of the following series: Corporate Records Annual Reports Financial Statements Taxes Dealer Letters Newsletters Audio-Visual Materials – General Audio-Visual Materials – Commercials Catalogues Advertising Flyers Press Clippings
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated by Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited in December, 1999.
Arrangement
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Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Access is subject to processing progress, and may be subject to review and consultation with Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Online fonds level description is available. Updated 2015 as few series described. https://www.lib.uwo.ca/files/archives/archives_finding_aids/AFC%203%20Canadian%20Tire%20Heritage%20Collection-2015.pdf
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
General note
In English, French, Dutch and Chinese.
General note
Title supplied by Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited.