History

1911

In 1911, Toronto-based baker George Weston Ltd. merged with four other Ontario bakeries to form the Canada Bread Company. Shortly thereafter, the company revealed plans to expand into Winnipeg and Montreal, aiming to establish Canada's first truly national bakery network.

Canada Bread expanded its presence in the city by acquiring several local independent bakeries, including Perfection, Western, Germain, and Richardson's, prior to their arrival. Additionally, they took a significant stake in Spiers Parnell, one of the city's largest bakeries with a plant on Elgin Avenue, which was permitted to continue operating under its own name and management. However, Spiers Parnell was restricted from competing directly with Canada Bread's flagship loaves and cakes, ensuring the company's dominant market position remained intact.

In October 1911, a $70,000 building permit was granted to the George H. Archibald Company, which promptly commenced construction on a three-story bakery measuring 72 by 200 feet. Shortly thereafter, a smaller building to the north was completed to accommodate the 75 horses and wagons used for bread delivery. The construction process appears to have proceeded smoothly, and by early November, Canada Bread announced its new location, proudly asserting that it was the largest bakery west of Minneapolis, featuring fourteen ovens capable of baking 400 loaves per hour.

1912

The company appointed A. A. Ryley as the pioneering manager of its Winnipeg operations. With a background as an Ontario pharmacist, Ryley later transitioned into a sales role with an Ontario milling company, during which he connected with Mark Bredin—who would later serve as Canada Bread's first general manager. Ryley was recruited in Toronto and was assigned to oversee the Winnipeg branch in 1912.

1915

Under Ryley's leadership, the company experienced remarkable growth, doubling its sales within the first two years and quickly earning its reputation as the city's largest bakery. In 1915, the plant expanded its capacity to produce 250,000 loaves weekly, with baking operations starting at 4:30 pm and continuing through the night. By the next year, the company estimated its sales reached 10 million loaves of bread in the city—approximately one-third of the total bread consumption of the local population, underscoring its dominant market position.

1929

Canada Bread operated a sizable fleet of delivery horses, with 75 in 1912 that grew to approximately 130 by 1929, before decreasing to around 40 by 1940. While automobiles eventually became the dominant mode of residential delivery, the company continued to utilize horses mainly for public relations purposes— a common strategy among bakeries, creameries, and laundry services of the period.

1940

By 1940, the number had declined to 40, yet the horses persisted as a symbol of tradition, even as automobiles became the primary means of making residential deliveries. Their continued presence was largely for public relations purposes, a common practice shared by many bakeries, creameries, and laundry companies of the time.

During the Winnipeg General Strike, controversy erupted at the Canada Bread bakery when Helen Armstrong, president of the Women's Labour League, led a group of 20 to 30 women to protest at the plant, which employed temporary workers, aiming to disrupt operations. According to Kramer and Mitchell in *When the State Trembled*, the women initially sought to remove the striking workers but were persuaded by Ryley to leave, only to move their protest outside, blocking trucks and workers from entering. Tensions escalated when the crowd forcibly re-entered the shop, confronting Ryley and shutting down machinery, prompting police intervention and the arrest of Armstrong, Ryley, and another man for disorderly conduct—charges later dropped. The bakery remained closed for several days, resulting in the disposal of around 4,000 loaves of bread. By mid-June, most workers had joined the union without repercussions, and Ryley, who denied being part of the anti-strike Citizens’ Committee of One Thousand, did not publicly comment on the events.

1943

On June 29, 1943, Rubin entered one of the large mixers to clean dough from the paddles but neglected to deactivate the safety switch beforehand. While he was inside, his assistant—who had been with the company for 21 years—was instructed to start the mixer. Tragically, Rubin sustained fatal injuries from the resulting trauma and internal damage. He was survived by his wife and four children, whose ages ranged from 10 to 19.

1945

On November 12, 1945, Weir was making a delivery on River Avenue when he stopped his bread wagon and stood in the back doorway; tragically, a truck fishtailing into the back of the wagon resulted in his instant death. Just moments earlier, a police officer had observed the truck speeding on the icy roads and following too closely, prompting a pursuit that was cut short when the tragic accident occurred before the officer could intervene. The truck driver claimed he was traveling below the speed limit and only saw the bread wagon when the vehicle in front attempted to pass it, attempting to swerve but ultimately hitting the wagon's side. A coroner’s jury found him guilty of neglectful driving, and he was charged with manslaughter, though the charges were eventually dismissed.

1948

In 1946, the site served as a lively lacrosse field during the summer, and in the winter, it was transformed with the addition of a few hockey rinks, becoming the home of the West End Orioles Athletic Club’s successful hockey program. The following year, in 1947, the land was sold to the Valour Road Legion to establish a curling club and legion hall. Construction of the new facility commenced in 1948, prompting the Orioles to relocate further north on Burnell Street, where they transitioned into a city-funded community club dedicated to fostering local sports and camaraderie.

1998

On October 2, 1998, Canada Bread’s Burnell Street bakery produced its final loaves, marking the end of an era. The company explained that the aging facility was operating at just 30% capacity, with many of its baked goods already being produced under contract by local bakers like Weston's. Following the closure, additional production was contracted out, and some products were supplied from Edmonton. Since then, the building has remained vacant, standing as a quiet reminder of the bakery’s legacy.

2012

In November 2011, the city issued a citation to the complex under the derelict buildings bylaw. During an April 2012 appeal hearing, the owner indicated he was "in discussions" with a potential partner regarding plans to convert the site into housing. An open house held in December 2012 aimed to explore redevelopment options; however, progress subsequently slowed. Since then, the property has received multiple extensions from the city’s threats to seize it under the derelict buildings bylaw, maintaining hope for future revitalization.