1900

The Lung Association began its work as the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Consumption and other forms of Tuberculosis. Several concerned citizens gathered at Rideau Hall to form a national anti-tuberculosis association to fight the deadly epidemic. Lord Minto, the Governor General of Canada at the time, agrees to be the honorary president.

1902

The Muskoka Free Hospital opens in Ontario. It is believed to be the first free sanatorium in the world.

1904

Provincial associations, and local associations, become affiliated with the national association, including: The Montreal League, the St. Francis District League, Toronto Anti-Consumption Association and the British Columbia Association for the Prevention and Treatment of Consumption.

1908

First Christmas Seal is issued in Canada by interested people in Toronto and Hamilton to raise funds to build sanatoria. Soon afterwards, other cities across Canada joined the Christmas Seal campaign as a means not only of raising money but of creating the awareness that tuberculosis could be controlled.

1923

The Canadian Association for the Prevention of Consumption and Other Forms of TB becomes the Canadian Tuberculosis Association.

1927

The first National Christmas Seal is issued. More than $91,000 is raised.

1929

Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to provide free treatment for TB patients. This laid the groundwork for the introduction of medicare by Premier Tommy Douglas, paving the way for Canada's universal health care system.

1940s

Early diagnosis of TB was key. Chest x-rays could reveal TB in the lung. The Association helped promote massive x-ray campaigns across the country. Mobile x-rays units travelled all across Canada by car, train and canoe to diagnose and treat TB, even in the most remote areas. In Newfoundland, a floating mobile clinic, dubbed the Christmas Seal, brought much needed services to remote outports.

1946

A medical section of the Association was established for TB doctors. This group later became known as the Canadian Thoracic Society in 1958.

1947

The Association officially endorsed the BCG vaccine as a tool to fight TB.

1948

A nurses' section of the Association was formed.

1958

The Canadian Thoracic Society, the medical section of the Association, is founded. The society consisted of a group of doctors especially interested in the field of chest medicine. Dr. Bill C. W .L. Jeanes was recruited from Britain to be medical director.

1959

The Research Grants and Fellowship program was established, with funds raised from Christmas Seals, to promote research into any field of lung disease.

1960s

With the advent of antibiotic drugs, the rates of TB declined in Canada. The Association began sharing its hard-won TB knowledge with the world, participating in projects in Africa and the Far East.

1969

Recognizing the need to fight other respiratory diseases, the Association changed its name to the Canadian Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association. Education programs are established on asthma, the effects of smoking and lung cancer.

1971

Nurses' Advisory Committee is formed. This group later becomes the Canadian Nurses Respiratory Society in 1977.

1977

To reflect its new work, the Association changes its name to The Canadian Lung Association.

1978

A physiotherapy section of the Association is formed.

1983

World’s first successful single lung transplant
Dr. Joel Cooper performs the first successful single lung transplant in the world at Toronto General Hospital.

1986

World’s first successful double lung transplant.
Dr. Joel Cooper performs the first successful double lung transplant at Toronto General Hospital.

1988

The Non-smokers’ Health Act (Bill C-204) restricting smoking in federal workplaces and on common carriers (planes, trains, boats and intercity buses), and the Tobacco Products Control Act (Bill C-51) were passed by Parliament. Bill C-51 provided the authority to ban all tobacco advertising, impose restrictions on and gradually phase out promotional activities and sponsorship of events or persons by tobacco manufacturers, and require more explicit health warnings on tobacco product packages. (source: Canadian Public Health Association).

The Environmental Protection Act was passed to reduce the contribution of vehicles and engines to air pollution in Canada.

1989

The federal government required cigarette manufacturers to list the additives and amounts for each brand. A ban on smoking was imposed in domestic airlines.

Victoria was the first city to ban smoking in all workplaces and public spaces with no allowance for designated smoking rooms.

1999

The Respiratory Therapy Society was formed to provide awareness of the knowledge and expertise of respiratory therapists regarding management of cardio-respiratory diseases, and to act as an advisory body and a resource to CLA.

2000s

The Lung Association began offering technical and managerial assistance to Ecuador's National Tuberculosis Control Program.

2001

Ottawa, Ontario and Victoria, British Columbia, are the first cities to ban smoking in all workplaces and public spaces with no allowance for designated smoking rooms.

2004

The Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals (CRHP) is formed as the multidisciplinary successor to the Canadian Nurses Respiratory Society, Canadian Physiotherapy Cardio-Respiratory Society and The Respiratory Therapy Society.

Today

The Lung Association focuses on all issues that affect the ability of Canadians to breathe easier every day. Our mission is to prevent all lung disease, help people manage their lung diseases and promote lung health.

Together with the Canadian Thoracic Society and the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals, we help doctors and health-care professionals set the highest standards in patient care, and continue to expand their knowledge about lung diseases and treatment.

We fund world-class medical research in Canada to find treatments, and ultimately cures, for lung diseases.

On the international stage, we continue the fight against lung diseases and support smoking cessation efforts in Latin America.

Our work is made possible through the generous donation of all Canadians. Together with our provincial offices, The Lung Association works to help the 1 in 5 Canadians who have breathing problems.