Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition : On November 13, 1962, the Council of the International Exhibitions Bureau selected Canada as the host country for the 1967 Universal and International Exhibition. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition (CCWE) was incorporated on December 20, 1962, following the passage of Bill C-103 (S.C. 1962, c.12). The Government of Canada, the Government of the Province of Quebec, and the City of Montreal entered into an agreement on January 18, 1963, defining their obligations and responsibilities to the Corporation and establishing the contributions of each level of government to the funds required for the capital and operational expenditure of the Corporation.
Under the terms of the Act to establish the Canadian World Exhibition Corporation and the Tripartite Agreement, the Corporation was established to accomplish the required task and to meet the requirements of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, established at the 1928 Paris Convention. The Corporation was responsible for planning, organizing, holding, and administering the Universal and International Exhibition of 1967, familiarly known as Expo '67.
The Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition was governed by a Board of Directors according to Article 3 of the Act (11 Eliz. II, c. 12). In 1962, the Board of Directors consisted of fourteen directors led by the Commissioner General, who also acted as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Paul Bienvenu was the first person appointed as Commissioner General on January 22, 1963, however, he was replaced by Pierre Dupuy on September 6 of that year.
On December 21, 1963, the Canadian World Exhibition Corporation Act was amended (12 Eliz. II, c. 32) and the number of directors was increased to sixteen. This amendment also required that the Executive Committee of the Board be established in order to expedite current business. The Corporation reported to Parliament through the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce. While Expo '67 was separate from the Centennial Celebrations, some events were organized in co-operation with the Centennial Commission of Canada.
The Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition was divided into six departments, including the Secretariat Department; the Department of Finance and Administration; the Department of Installations; the Department of Exhibitors; the Department of Public Relations; and the Department of Operations. Each of these Departments were governed by a Director with the exception of the Secretariat Department, which was run by a Secretary and General Counsel, and each Department was divided into different Branches.
The event itself, Expo '67, was held in Montreal (Quebec) from April 28 to October 27, 1967. It was the first international exhibition of its type ever held in Canada. The theme of this exhibition was "Man and His World," which was inspired by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's book Terre des Hommes. Expo '67 was considered to be a highlight of Canada's Centennial celebrations and successfully showcased Canada to the world. Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip were among the distinguished guests who visited the exhibition.
In 1969, the Corporation was abolished as its creation act was repealed by the Expo Winding-Up Act.
