Canadian Toy Testing Council
{{short description|Canadian not-for-profit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Canadian Toy Testing Council
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| abbreviation = CTTC
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| established = {{start date and age|1952}}
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| founding_location = Ottawa
| defunct = {{end date and age|2015|06}}
| type = Nonprofit
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| purpose = Game and toy testing
| headquarters = Nepean, Ontario, Canada{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/back-to-basics-the-new-toy-story/article4169824/|title=Back to basics: The new toy story|last=Foss|first=Krista|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=12 December 2000|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191334/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/back-to-basics-the-new-toy-story/article4169824/|url-status=live}}
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The Canadian Toy Testing Council was a volunteer-operated not-for-profit organization established in 1952{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-toy-testing-council-closing-doors-after-more-than-six-decades/article23959723/|title=Canadian Toy Testing Council closing doors after more than six decades|agency=The Canadian Press|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=14 April 2015|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816215125/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-toy-testing-council-closing-doors-after-more-than-six-decades/article23959723/|url-status=live}} to test toys for playability and safety. The organization ceased operations in June 2015.
History
Each year, the organization solicited families from the Ottawa–Gatineau region{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalpost.com/high+tech+gadgets+classics+make+list+best+toys/960848/story.html|title=High-tech gadgets, classics make list of best toys|last=Drudi|first=Cassandra|newspaper=National Post|date=14 November 2008|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191352/https://nationalpost.com/|url-status=live}} to volunteer for its testing program, which reviewed hundreds of games and toys made available to the Canadian market that year, as well as books authored by Canadian writers.{{cite news|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/savvy+teen+shoppers+test+toys+with+video/9143261/story.html|title=Savvy teen shoppers test toys|last=Turner|first=Karen|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=9 November 2013|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116220505/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/savvy+teen+shoppers+test+toys+with+video/9143261/story.html|url-status=live}} Parents of participating families were required to pay a membership fee and attend a training session.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/toy-testing-council-announces-top-picks-1.788227|title=Toy testing council announces top picks|last=Small|first=Takara|publisher=CBC News|date=17 November 2009|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191359/https://www.cbc.ca/news/toy-testing-council-announces-top-picks-1.788227|url-status=live}} There was often a waiting list of families that wanted to participate in the toy testing program.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-coolest-job-on-the-block/article20390373/|title=The coolest job on the block|last=McGinn|first=Dave|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=25 November 2008|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191336/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-coolest-job-on-the-block/article20390373/|url-status=live}} Children, infants to 16 years of age,{{Cite news|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/canadian+testing+council+uses+lots+santa+helpers+with+video/9108263/story.html|title=Canadian Toy Testing Council uses lots of Santa's helpers|last=Turner|first=Karen|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=4 November 2013|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222545/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/canadian+testing+council+uses+lots+santa+helpers+with+video/9108263/story.html|url-status=live}} from about 300 families would play with up to 25 games for 6 to 12 weeks,{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1946775/the-canadian-toy-testing-council-sells-off-remaining-toys-before-closing-doors/|title=The Canadian Toy Testing Council sells off remaining toys before closing doors|agency=The Canadian Press|publisher=Global News|date=18 April 2015|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201131525/https://globalnews.ca/news/1946775/the-canadian-toy-testing-council-sells-off-remaining-toys-before-closing-doors/|url-status=live}} providing feedback to the organization on the game's assembly, design, durability, function, play value, and safety. Each game or toy was given to six families for testing. Each tested game received a rating from a low of 1 star to a high of 3 stars.
The games and toys receiving the highest scores from the children would then be selected by the council's Evaluation Committee for final review. Others received a "not recommended" rating, and those that posed safety risks such as choking hazards were "red flagged". It also reported toys with such safety risks to Health Canada.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2007/11/05/toy_testers_unveil_top_picks.html|title=Toy testers unveil top picks|last=Pedwell|first=Terry|agency=The Canadian Press|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=5 November 2007|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005175251/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2007/11/05/toy_testers_unveil_top_picks.html|url-status=live}}
Every November,{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2012/07/31/kids_test_toys_that_will_make_up_the_christmas_crop.html|title=Kids test toys that will make up the Christmas crop|last=White|first=Nancy J.|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=31 July 2012|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191336/https://www.thestar.com/life/2012/07/31/kids_test_toys_that_will_make_up_the_christmas_crop.html|url-status=live}} it published its annual Toy Report based on these reviews, and also announced the "Children's Choice Award" and "Best Bet" recommendations. The report included a recommended age range for each tested toy, sometimes differing from the age range specified by the manufacturer, as well as battery requirements and how quickly the toy will drain the batteries.{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/life/pick+perfect+your+child/7537478/story.html|title=How to pick the perfect toy for your child|last=Campbell|first=Jennifer|publisher=Postmedia News|date=13 November 2012|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191337/https://o.canada.com/|url-status=live}}
The organization also held a toy sale every November, selling that year's tested toys at a discount. It also sold new copies of award-winning toys and games for a discount.{{cite news|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/bargain+central/7520824/story.html|title=Bargain Central|last=turner|first=Karen|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=8 November 2012|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=30 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330030332/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Bargain+Central/7520824/story.html|url-status=live}} The proceeds of the sale, representing the bulk of the organization's budget, were used to fund travel to toy fairs in Toronto or New York City.{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/Eager+kids+toys+test/7537482/story.html|title=Eager kids put toys to the test|last=Campbell|first=Jennifer|publisher=Postmedia News|date=13 November 2012|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022191337/https://o.canada.com/|url-status=live}} Information gathered at these fairs was used to generate lists of prospective toys to test, which were then requested from the manufacturers.
The organization ceased operations in June 2015 after failing to acquire sufficient operational funding and corporate sponsorships. In April 2015, it sold its remaining book and toy inventory.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://toy-testing.org/|title=Canadian Toy Testing Council|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512073042/http://toy-testing.org/|archivedate=12 May 2015}}
Category:Organizations based in Ottawa
Category:Organizations established in 1952
Category:Organizations disestablished in 2015
Category:1952 establishments in Ontario
Category:2015 disestablishments in Ontario