Fonds RG 2 - Office of the Chief General Manager fonds

The Canadian National Exhibition, originally called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, was founded in 1879. Since its inception, the mandate of the CNE has been to foster the development of agriculture, industry, manufacturing and the arts.

The Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA), under a contractual agreement with the City of Toronto, administered Exhibition Park (now Exhibition Place) from 1879 until 1982. The CNEA oversaw the operation of the Canadian National Exhibition and the off-season use of the grounds for trade shows, conventions, etc. In 1983, the year-round administration of Exhibition Place was turned over to a new body, The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place, a local board of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. The CNEA continued to exist, but its role was narrowed to that of assisting the Board of Governors in staging the annual fair.

Since 1879, there has always been an executive staff appointed by the CNEA, and later the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place, to deal with the day-to-day administration and long-term development of Exhibition Place. Until 1982, and the administrative restructuring noted above, the chief executive officer of Exhibition Place was the General Manager. After 1982, the title of General Manager was changed to Chief General Manager. However, the duties and responsibilities of the Chief General Manager continued to be consistent with those of the position under the previous organizational structure.

As the head of Exhibition Place, the Chief General Manager fills a significant role. Virtually all matters relating to the operation of the CNE and the ongoing administration of the grounds during the off-season come before the Chief General Manager. The Chief General Manager is responsible for: implementing the policies of the Board and interpreting those policies to CNE staff; being present at all meetings of the CNE Association, Executive and Finance Committee and the Board; planning, organizing and directing the annual CNE and fulfilling the Board's responsibilities relevant to Exhibition Place; giving direction to senior management and their staff to ensure profitable operation of Exhibition Place; being the custodian of all leases, policies, bonds and other assets; keeping the President of the CNEA advised on all aspects of Exhibition Place, including planning, operations, personnel and general business; approving contracts, expenditures and the transfer of appropriations within a departmental budget or the annual budget which has been approved by the Board; and speaking on all operational matters which have been approved by the Board.

Over the years, the individuals who have served as the Chief General Manager have been: H. J. Hill (1879-1903), J. O. Orr (1903-1917), John G. Kent (1917-1927), H. W. Waters (1927-1934), Elwood A. Hughes (1934-1952), Hiram E. McCallum (1952-1964), Lambert C. Powell (1964-1969), David E. Garrick and Howard Tate (1970-1972), David E. Garrick (1972-1975), William A. Mallatratt (1976-1981), R. Michael Warren and David E. Garrick (1981), John P. Kruger (1981-1982), Winfield H. Stockwell (1982-1987).

In 1970, 1971, 1981 and 1982, no individual held the position of Chief General Manager. In 1970 and 1971, both David E. Garrick and Howard Tate acted as Assistant General Manager, in addition to their other positions as Corporate Secretary and Publicity Manager, respectively. In 1981 and 1982, a succession of Interim General Managers oversaw Exhibition Place: R. Michael Warren (January 1981 to May 1981), David E. Garrick (June 1981 to September 1981) and John P. Kruger (August 1981 to October 1982).