Foundations of the Canadian Sanitation Supply Association

The Growing 70s

As the Chapters strengthened in the early 70s, so did the relationship between the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) and the CSSA. During the 1971 Annual Convention at the Park Plaza Hotel, a special day commemorated the affiliation by honouring executives of the ISSA. The day was called International Day.

ISSA President, Robert Powell announced the details of the first ever “Open Day” policy that would be held at the 49th Annual International Education Conference and Exposition at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It would mark the first time in the history of the association that all industry members as well as consumers would be able to view the latest developments in modern cleaning maintenance and equipment. Non-member distributors, housekeepers, building superintendents and building service contractors would pay a $5 registration fee to enter.

At the same time, at the CSSA Annual Convention in 1971, a keynote speaker by the name of Richard F. Ehmann, operations manager of the World Trade Center in New York, described cleaning procedures and maintenance of the 16 million sq. feet of floor space.

In 1972, the late Samuel Tughan, vice-president and general manager of G.H. Wood and Company addressed the industry in a statement: “Our industry is still faced with a number of economic problems. Although we expect business to be better, we are still faced with high inflation, rising costs of goods and raw materials, and steady freight increases. We are also in great need of highly trained, knowledgeable and skilled sales personnel.” Thirty-five years later the same issues are being addressed.

In May 1974, the Quebec chapter of CSSA honoured the “Pioneers of the Industry” in a gala event at the Executive Hall of the Club Canadian in Montreal. Larry Dornan, Chapter Chairman at the time welcomed the following pioneers:

E. Allaire – Par All Ltée.
G. Armstrong – Dustbane Enterprises Ltd.
C.E. Pickering – Dustbane Enterprises Ltd.
E. Cusson – Husky Floor Machines.
H. Lamoureaux – Husky Floor Machines.
C. Blachford – Circle Sales.
G. Hebert – Cie d’Equipement Ltée.
W.A. Kennedy – W.A. Kennedy Ltd.
J. Kuchard – Record Chemicals Co. Inc.
L. Lacoste – Kimberly Clark.
A. Larose – Larose et Fils Ltée.
L. Morency – L. Morency & Fils.
A. Morrow – Avmor Ltée.
G.H. Pimm – Michaels Equipment.
A. Robins – Cartier Chemicals Ltd.
F. Roy – Savon Majestic Ltée.

Each pioneer addressed the meeting and members warmed up to the two eldest pioneers – C.E. Pickering and W.A. Kennedy. A highlight of the evening was a 50-year-old vacuum cleaner displayed by Jean Larose of Larose et Fils Ltée.

In 1973 and 1974, under the Presidency of John Ambler, Swish Maintenance Ltd., the CSSA continued to flourish. A new British Columbia Chapter was formed, the CSSA Constitution was established, an ISSA / CSSA agreement was created and the first steps were taken to establish a permanent CSSA office with staff.

In 1975 and 1976, Jean Larose of Larose et Fils Ltée. became the first president of the CSSA from the province of Quebec. Larose joined CSSA in 1962 where he was only the second member from outside of Ontario. In 1963, he became chapter chairman and continued to build membership and support in an effort to give more meaning to a National Association. With a new chapter in Thunder Bay, Larose presented the newest chapter to the Atlantic Chapter on Mar. 21, 1977.

“Another project which was an old dream of CSSA was to have our own publication,” Larose said. “After much planning and discussion Sam Tughan was able to come out with the first issue of our magazine at the 1976 CSSA Convention in Toronto. We called it Sanitation Canada.”