Royal Canadian Military Institute

On January 14, 1890, 50 officers of the Toronto Garrison founded the Royal Canadian Military Institute, then known as the Canadian Military Institute (CMI), with the then Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley, as its patron. The Militia Institute, which was organized in 1878, presented 200 military volumes on the founding of the Institute. Although the founders sought to enrol 50 to 100 members by the end of 1890, 162 Resident and 122 Non-Resident members had joined. The headquarters of the Canadian Military Institute in 1896 was on University Avenue.

In 1907, the CMI acquired 243-5 Simcoe Street, which is at the rear of its current premises. On August 29, 1907, the then Governor General, Earl Grey, laid the cornerstone. William Craven Vaux Chadwick, architect, designed the new CMI Library on University Avenue in 1908.[5]

In 1912, CMI acquired the front of the present premises on University Avenue and the then Governor General, the Duke of Connaught, laid the cornerstone.[6]

Col. J. B. McLean was the last of the founders of the RCMI to die; he served as Honorary President of the RCMI from 1948 until his death in 1951.[7]

The Institute's founding President was Lieutenant Colonel William Dillon Otter, formerly adjutant of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. He went on to become one of Canada's most distinguished military figures, ending his career as General Sir William Otter KCB CMG CVO, Inspector-General of Militia of Canada. Colonel Otter set the founding objectives of the Institute, to be "the Promotion and Fostering of Military Art, Science and Literature in Canada."

LCol William Dillon Otter in 1900

Col. J. M. Gibson was the first Vice-President of CMI; he later served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and was the father of the Honourable Mr. Justice Col. Colin Gibson, an Honorary Life Member of the Institute. The First Secretary at CMI was Lt. Homfray Irving, a member of the Old Eighteen (first cadets at Royal Military College of Canada), the first Battalion Sergeant Major at R.M.C., winner of the Sword of Honour at R.M.C. and the first President of the R.M.C. Club of Canada.[8]

Membership was limited from 1890-1940 to Army officers and ex-officers of Her Majesty’s forces. In 1940, membership was limited to Army, Navy, and Air officers and ex-officers of Her Majesty’s forces. In 1940 the Executive Committee of the RCMI agreed to change the name of the RCMI to the Canadian Officers' Club and Institute, and to provide Navy officers with wardroom.[9]

As 1914 approached, the Institute was operating at a financial loss, and the executive considered closure. With the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, there was a large number of potential membership candidates. From 1919–1930 the financial position of the Institute and membership were healthy. After 1930, the membership dwindled a little each year, owing to deaths and resignations. With the depression it was uncertain whether the Institute could survive. Resignations increased since many members could not afford the yearly membership fee of $15. Some affluent citizens who had resigned from their $100-a-year clubs, but still wanted a club to belong to, joined the CMI. In 1935, accounts were short by $52,000. Although criminal prosecution was pointless, so far as collecting the balance was concerned, a cheque for $35,000 was sent by the bonding company. The $17,000, which could have been a death blow to the institute, was written off. In 1935, the executive considered closing. A new finance committee was set up, chaired by Lt. Col. F. S. McPherson, who kept the Institute in the black during the period he was either President or Chairman of the Finance Committee, from 1936 to 1953 inclusive, except for two years he was overseas on active service. Under McPherson an annual budget was prepared in advance and adhered to. Once a dollar was banked, it stayed in the bank. Entrance fees were banked and the Institute operated on annual fees. The "chit" system was abolished and members were put on a cash basis. These sound financial principles prevail today. From 1936 until 1958, the Institute operated at a profit.[10]

In 1943, a Captain of the Canadian Women's Army Corps presented herself to the Secretary with the membership application and demanded membership. Although the bylaws did not specify that members had to be male, she was denied membership. Some concessions were made to women. Wives of members were permitted to attend on "Open Nights", usually held once a month. Members could entertain their female guests at the Ladies Lounge, where drinks and dinner were available daily at five o'clock.[11]

In 1946, Commander A. C. Turner, who was the first naval officer to serve as president of the Institute, insisted that the name of the Institute be changed to "The Canadian Officers' Club and Institute", although he opted to forego a Navy wardroom.[12]

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In 1948, the Institute had its first Air Force officer as president. In 1948, the Honourable Colin Gibson, who served as the Secretary of State agreed to consult with the Sovereign through the proper channels about granting the Institute the prefix "Royal", provided the Institute changed its name back to Canadian Military Institute. The application granting the Institute the prefix "Royal" was granted by George VI in 1948.[13]

In 1948, a record profit year, the Institute could have remitted all annual fees to their members and still have shown a slight profit. As World War II receded, the membership declined. Many commanding officers urged their regular forces and reserve officers to join. The Institute reduced the $25 entrance fee and $35 annual dues to serving officers of both the reserve and the active services.

To contribute to the 'New Building Fund', a lot to the south was sold for $150,000, a tax on beer added $50,000, bequests by deceased members, notably one from Major James Bell, of $15,000 and surpluses were added to the RCMI coffers. The Executive Committee of the RCMI acquired a 75-foot lot to the south of the present clubhouse for $1,000 a foot to build a new clubhouse. In 1955, the back part of the clubhouse, which was over 100 years old was demonished and rebuilt.

In 1948, the RCMI membership was 2389 however, by 1958, the RCMI membership had dwindled to 1925. Many members lived in the Toronto area; however, there was also a non-resident membership fee for members who lived in various parts of Canada but visit Toronto from time to time.[14] By 1958, seven or eight dinner meetings were held each year at the Institute.

The announcement of the RCMI Letters Patent was made on November 23, 1991, in Volume 125, page 3770 of the Canada Gazette.[15]

With the support of a majority of the members, the RCMI entered into an agreement in late 2008 to demolish the existing, aged building and allow development of a 42-storey condominium tower in exchange for a larger space in freehold in the new building. The historic facade, and much of the interior, was recreated in the RCMI's space in the new building, while freeing the institute from the increasing costs of maintaining a century-old building.

The Institute closed its building with a flag-lowering ceremony on June 18, 2010. The RCMI's century-old home at 426 University Avenue was demolished in 2010. Following a four-year reconstruction, the RCMI returned to its new quarters at 426 University Avenue at the beginning of June 2014.

From 2010 to 2014, members met at the Albany Club on King Street during the construction period, and the popular events of the RCMI, including Military History Nights and meetings of the Strategic Studies Committee, continued. Library and museum items were stored in appropriate locations, and work on the collections continued during the time away from 426 University.