Ontario. Dept. of Education. Community Programmes Branch

• Community Programmes Branch

• Ontario. Special Studies and Services Branch. Community Programmes Division

• Ontario. Dept. of Education. Community Programmes Division

• Ontario. Dept. of Education. Community Programmes Section

The Community Programmes Branch was created in April 1948, and formed part of the Ontario Department of Education. The predecessors of the branch date to 1945, when programs were established for Grants-in-aid and advisory services for physical fitness and recreation programs within the Physical Fitness and Recreation Office, of the Physical and Health Education Branch, Department of Education. A Community Programmes Office was created in the Physical and Health Education Branch in May 1947, with responsibility for developing province-wide projects and programs. By November 1947 it was realized that having two offices dealing with similar programs was causing confusion, and in April 1948 the two offices were combined, along with the staff and functions of the disbanded Ontario Adult Education Board, into a new branch called Community Programmes Branch.

On August 1, 1948, the Trade and Industry Branch of the Department of Planning and Development transferred its crafts training section, The Home Weaving Service, to the Community Programmes Branch. In 1961 the citizenship functions were transferred to the Department of the Provincial Secretary.

A 1965 reorganization of the Department of Education resulted in the Community Programmes Branch becoming a Division of the Special Schools and Services Branch. In 1967, the Community Programmes Division was renamed Community Programmes Section.

In June 1968, a further reorganization of the Department of Education resulted in the creation of the Youth and Recreation Branch by amalgamating the Youth Branch and the Community Programmes Section of the Special Schools and Services Branch.

The Community Programmes Branch of the Ontario Department of Education was responsible for providing assistance to Ontario communities in planning leisure-time activities. This involved administering and promoting physical fitness, recreation, adult education, leadership training, cultural activities, and citizenship. It administered English programs for immigrants, citizenship classes, and radio programs such as the "Citizens Forum". The Branch also operated community arts development programmes in such areas as music, drama, public speaking, crafts, folklore, and films. District representatives were stationed in regional offices to provide consultative services, and make recommendations for legislative grants and certification of recreation directors. In 1959 citizenship functions were transferred to the Department of the Provincial Secretary.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Annual Reports of the Ontario Department of Education, 1948-1968.

Canadiana Name Authorities, 1996-12- 24.

Ontario Government Telephone Directories, 1960-1968.

Archivist(s):
R. Anger