The Canada Seed Company was formed in 1913 by Mr. R. C. (Clark) Steele at Hagersville, Ontario with the intent to process and export farm seeds. However, in later years, the company branched out into the Garden Seed business. Early in the 1930's, R. C. Steele merged his company with the Steele Briggs Seed Co., which was owned by his brother Walter D. Steele. Following the deaths of W. D. Steele and E. F. Crossland, R. C. Steele was elected President of Steele Briggs.
A few years later, Vancouver interests took over the seed companies under Steele Briggs, including the Canada Seed Company. At this time, R. C. Steele retired from the company to form Steele Robertson Co., headquartered in Edmonton. W. D. Dack was appointed President of Steele Briggs. In June 1951, W. D. Dack took control of company operations from the Vancouver interests and, in 1961, the Steele Briggs Seed Co. purchased the Rennie Seed Co.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series contains the resignation of A.J. Maruca as an officer and director of
Canada Seeds Ltd. and a report on operating results for the nine-month period ending
February 28,1967. The remainder of the records in this sub-series are financial
statements prepared by Meyers Norris Penny & Co.
The sub sub series is divided into two sub sub sub series, including: (1) Financial; and (2) Miscellaneous.
Historical information regarding Canada Seeds Ltd. is located in Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes), Historical Topics file 10 (Tape 23) and file 11 (Tape 24) of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds.
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes reports from three management consultants: Harbridge House, Urwick, Currie & Partners Ltd., and Thorne Stevenson & Kellogg. As well, the sub-series contains correspondence between the President and Comptroller of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. and Harbridge House regarding the implementation of a management training program and plans to combat the weak field seed market. The Urwick, Currie reports deal with improvement in company operations and improvements in packet seed processing. The Thorne Stevenson & Kellogg report is entitled 'Implementing a Strategic Planning Process.' Each of the reports completed for the company deal with improving the business operations of McKenzie Seeds.
Harbridge House – this record is a management-training program designed to address a weak field seed market.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
