Quebec Home Economics Association

The Quebec Home Economics Association had its roots in the Montreal Home Economics Association which was the Montreal affiliate of the larger Canadian Home Economics Association. The Montreal branch started in 1940 with Margaret McCready, Director of the School of Household Science at Macdonald College as its first President. There were 28 members who paid a membership fee of $1.00 per year.Their original mandate was not only to provide an organization for all professional home economists but to contribute to the war effort by informing the public of the best use of rationed food and household products. As well the Association collected used clothing to be sent overseas, arranged lectures on nutrition and household management and raised money for bursaries for students at Macdonald College and L'Universite de Montreal through the sale of raffle tickets, bridge parties and teas. From the beginning the M.H.E.A had a close liaison with its French counterpart, L'Association Conseilleres d'Economie Familiale du Quebec. Aside from its original ties with the Canadian Association, the Montreal branch was supportive of other organizations including the Montreal Dietetic Association and the Montreal Council of Women. At the end of the war the aims of the Association broadened to include workshops on all aspects of household management, provision of school lunches and teaching cooking to the blind. With the formation of the Canadian Association of Consumers in 1947 the Montreal branch had a natural ally at the Federal level. Membership gradually increased as did the areas of interest. Briefs were sent to governments to urge, among other matters, the compulsory pasteurization of milk and the standardization of clothing labels, Lecturers not only visited schools but also gave broadcasts on the C.B.C. The Association gained a permanent meeting place in
1952 in the High School of Montreal. In 1979 the Association merged with the Quebec Association of of Home Economics Educators and assumed its present name - the Quebec Home Economics Association. Its interests have broadened further to include such diverse topics as day-care, bilingualism, information on the diversity of food products, the uses of new appliances for the home and changes in textiles. Even with this expansion of knowledge the Association has remained faithful to its original idea of helping home makers make the best use their dollars while continuing to emphasize good nutrition, good health and good values.