A major anniversary milestone is coming for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Dec. 29 marks the 110th anniversary of the formation of the organization.
That was the date in 1905 of the inaugural meeting when business leaders in the newly-formed community met in order to organize a board of trade.
According to the news release issued by the Chamber on Monday, in order to become incorporated the business leaders needed to meet requirements of the Boards of Trade Act (Canada). Part 1 of the legislation indicates “any number of persons, not fewer than 30 who are merchants, traders, brokers, mechanics, manufacturers, managers of banks or insurance agents, carrying on business in, or resident in, a district that has a population of not less than 2,500, may associate themselves together as a board of trade.”
A total of 38 merchants signed their names and professions to the documents, which included some well known community surnames such as Craig (meat merchant), Churchill (insurance agent), Houston (bank manager), Wakelin (druggist), Ross (lumber dealer) and Maher (merchant).
According to the Chamber news release the businesses included “a blacksmith, a watchmaker, two horse dealers, merchant tailor, a wine merchant, a physician and assorted other merchants.”
The document requesting formation and incorporation of what would initially be the North Battleford Board of Trade were then forwarded to Ottawa for registration.
That was returned along with a certificate of formation certified by signature of the deputy registrar general of Canada dated Jan. 26, 1906.
Feb. 3 1906 marked the first follow up meeting to adopt the constitution, elect officers and appoint a committee to work on the burning issue of the day — the traffic bridge. The first president was H. W. Detwiller, who was elected by acclamation.
The organization is now known as the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, representing 375 businesses and organizations employing some 6,200 people across the Northwest. A number of events are in the works to celebrate the anniversary in the 2016 year.
The first will be “Celebrate Saskatchewan.” A date for that event is to be set early on in 2016. More details on celebration plans are expected in the new year.
