On November 23, 1987, Ronnie Ford and Robert Ho invited members of the Chinese South African community to a meeting to discuss forming an association for Chinese South Africans living in the Toronto area. Their vision was setting up networks within the community by having social, recreational, and educational events. Of the many individuals invited, the following attended:

Lok Archer, Violet Archer, Lou Check, Jackie Ford, Ronnie Ford, Tony Ford, York Ford, Geoffrey Leong, Robert Ho, Gordon Lock, Hung Loo, Lin Loo, Archie Ming-Sun, Lorrie Ming-Sun, Don Son Hing, Ernest Wing King, Wai John Young

These members are the CCASA Founding Members, because they made the decision to have a formal association at this meeting.

On December 14, 1987, the name Canadian Chinese Association (S.A.) was approved and the first Executive Officers were elected:

Co-Chairs: Ronnie Ford & Robert Ho

Secretary: Lorrie Ming-Sun

Treasurer: Violet Archer

Executive Member: Ernie King

Robert Ho, Geoff Leong, and Lorrie Ming-Sun developed the Aims and Objectives of the CCASA Constitution, which was approved by the membership at the first event held by the Association, a dinner dance at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill on February 13, 1988. Their hard work resulted in the Constitution being ratified on February 3, 1990. At the first Annual General Meeting held on March 25, 1990, the following were elected onto the Executive and voted by the Executive to be officers:

President: Robert Ho

Vice President: Ronnie Ford

Secretary: Lorrie Ming-Sun

Treasurer: Gordon Lock

During the first several years, many social, recreational, and educational events were held. The major accomplishments in those early years were the Constitution, the Immigration Information Pamphlet, the Resource Directory, the Logo, and the quarterly newsletter.

In July 2003, the CCASA's web site was launched. The sponsor for nine years was Steven Quan. Our web master during this long period of time was Geraldine Quan.

May Look-Chao became the sponsor and web master in January 2013.