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History

The concept of an association of Canadian radiation oncologists arose out of discussions between the specialty's representatives to the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the Canadian Oncology Society during 1984.  A questionnaire on the matter was circulated to all radiation oncologists in Canada for their comments.  The responses indicated a widely held desire to strengthen and unify the voice of radiation oncology and to improve the annual scientific meeting.

In response to the overwhelming support for the establishment of CARO, a steering committee was struck in 1985 under the chairmanship of Dr. P. Froud (Kingston) to "investigate the feasibility, relative merits and cost of creating a Canadian association of radiation oncologists".  The committee recommended that an independent Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists be formed aiming to have all radiation oncologists in Canada as members.  It further recommended a postal ballot for officers with strict regional representation across the country.  These and other recommendations were unanimously accepted by radiation oncologists present in Halifax in June, 1986.  The steering committee, now under the chairmanship of Dr. C. Freeman (Montreal), drew up draft bylaws and carried out a postal ballot for the election of officers.  In Winnipeg in September, 1987, the Association elected its first directors, Dr. S.M. Jackson, President (Vancouver), Dr. C. Freeman, Vice-President (Montreal), and Dr. J. Carson, Secretary/Treasurer (Saint John).

During 1988, the Association became incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act with "the objects of providing a national organization of Radiation Oncologists in Canada to promote the interests of Radiation Oncology in Canada and to represent the specialty to governments, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and other national and international societies".