About Us

Back in the early 1930’s, Canadian yachtsmen who sailed the international waters around Detroit, found United States clubs, and the Detroit Yacht Club in particular, the centre of boating activities for these waters. As  a result, many Canadian sailors from the border cities joined the Detroit Yacht Club. It was there, they met enthusiastic members of the United
States Power Squadrons and learned of the navigation and other allied courses of the USPS. Unfortunately, courses were open only to US citizens. In 1935, the Windsor Yacht Club was founded and many of the same Canadian sailors rallied to the support of the new club. That winter, instructed and examined by USPS members, a group of Canadians passed
the Junior Piloting examination and founded the Windsor Power Squadron which would form the nucleus of what was eventually to become the Canadian Power Squadron (CPS).

By 1939, Windsor had blossomed and word of its work had spread to Sarnia and London, Ontario where other squadrons sprang to life. Officers from these three squadrons met at Chatham, Ontario, on the 14th of October 1941 and the Canadian Power Squadron was born. A Constitution and By-laws were adopted, lecture courses standardized and steps taken to
secure recognition from the Dominion Government. By this time, Canada had been in the Second World War for over two years and the rank of various squadrons were badly depleted by enlistments. Eligible prospective members were so scarce, the CPS almost expired before it had really seen the light of day.

In 1946, the various squadrons began to stir once more. A large new squadron was organized in Toronto while another in Halifax became the first salt water unit. The fires of squadronism were really kindled anew. The Dominion Government finally granted CPS its official charter in 1947 and the organization was registered under the Companies Act. The following year, a copyright was granted covering the official flag of the Canadian Power Squadron.

The first Annual Conference of CPS was held in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel in November of 1949 with representatives from Windsor, London, Port Dover, Toronto and Hamilton. The event was a great success. An exhibition  of navigational gadgets and a photo contest aroused considerable interest and a pattern was established for another important phase of
squadronism.

By 1950, the urge to study and acquire proficiency in boating skills had become so great among members of the Squadrons that a Training Department was formed which was headed by a director and a representative from each existing squadron. In 1955, the first squadron to be established on the West Coast was chartered in Vancouver. The following two years witnessed phenomenal growth and six more squadrons were formed. By 1958, the rapid expansion of CPS necessitated the formation of Districts, each with its own District Commander and Training Officer. Districts became operative at the Annual Conference in 1959.

CPS acknowledges a deep debt to the USPS for continued help in connection with training programs from our inception right up to present day. A close liaison is maintained between the two organizations that we might better serve boaters on both sides of the border.