Series MS-2536 - Chiropractors' Association of British Columbia records

In response to what was perceived to be medical persecution, the British Columbia Chiropractors' Association (BCCA) was formed under the leadership of Walter Sturdy on April 7, 1920. The formation of the BCCA appears to represent a formal split in the Anti-Vaccination and Medical Freedom League. Following this division, the so-called "mixers" (who used a variety of healing modalities, both mechanical and non-mechanical) were organised around the BC Association of United Drugless Therapists. It was the "straights" (who provided hands-only, spine-only care) who were represented by the BCCA. Both groups were able to have private members introduce bills to the Legislature which would have legitimised and formalised each groups' role. Forceful lobbying by the medical profession, however, led to an amendment to the Medical Act, which set out qualifications for, and limitations to chiropractors in April 1921. In subsequent years various chiropractors and the medical profession continued lobbying efforts on behalf of their various interests. In 1929, 1930 and 1931 the chiropractors and drugless healers introduced bills into the Legislature which would have given them more freedom under the Medical Act or provided for separate and autonomous regulation of both groups. In 1931 the government appointed a Royal Commission to examine the issue of chiropractic and drugless healing. The Commission recommended that chiropractors should have a separate act and should be prohibited from practising midwifery or surgery and from prescribing drugs. In addition, it was recommended that the Act be restricted to the regulation of chiropractors and should not include drugless therapists. A private member's bill was introduced based on these recommendations but it was defeated by one vote on the third reading. During the election of 1933 the chiropractors attempted to interview and make known the attitudes of all the candidates toward official recognition of chiropractors. The Conservative government was defeated in this election and the new Liberal government appeared to be sympathetic to the chiropractors. Soon after the opening of parliament a chiropractic bill, substantially the same as the previous one, was introduced. This bill passed final reading on March 29, 1934 thereby giving official recognition to chiropractors as well as defining the limiting their scope of activities. In 1933 the BCCA was dissolved and was replaced by the Chiropractors' Association of British Columbia (CABC). Some members of the CABC were also active in the Canadian Chiropractic Association and this relationship is reflected in the records. Records include papers and correspondence relating to the formation and operations of the BCCA and to the subsequent activities of its members. A substantial number of clippings found throughout the records document these and related issues. A number of links existed between the CABC and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and year books, certificates, and related material highlight this connection. There are also biographical sketches which cover a broad cross-section of the membership of the CABC. A paper prepared by Lesley Biggs for the BC Studies Conference in 1986 deals with the early struggle for licensing of chiropractors in B.C.

Records in this series consist of minute books, correspondence, clippings, brochures, photographs and other records relating to the formation and operations of the Chiropractors' Association of British Columbia and to the subsequent activities of its members. Also included are biographical sketches of many of the members, notably Walter T. Sturdy who founded the B.C. Chiropractors' Association, the predecessor of the CABC These biographies and other material were assembled by the CABC with the assistance of Margaret Cantwell.