[1] PROCAN was founded in 1940 as BMI Canada Limited, a part of the US company Broadcast Music, Inc.
In 1947, under the leadership of William Harold Moon, it began taking a more active role on behalf of Canadians, attracting new affiliates from around the world.
[2] In 1977, William Harold Moon became PRO Canada's first chairman of the board, and Gordon Henderson its first president.
Upon Moon's death, Henderson succeeded him as chairman of the board, and Jan Matejcek became president.
Henderson was in charge of both PROCAN and the MPF while CAPAC was headed by John Mills.