The Internet is an amazing place, where you can stumble upon just about anything. Which is how I accidentally found part of a Billboard story from June 28, 1969, detailing how CHUM’s legendary J. Robert Wood – and 11 other stations across the country – attempted to placate the CRTC so they wouldn’t put mandatory Can Con regs. on radio outlets across the country.
 
It didn’t work, of course, but the plan was for 12 stations in an initiative called "The Maple Leaf System" to start playing select Canadian artists and records on a regular basis, hoping the Commission would see that national music was getting exposure after all, and the regulations weren’t needed.

The initial stations involved were CHUM, Toronto; CKLG, Vancouver; CHED, Edmonton; CKXL, Calgary; CJME, Regina; CKOM, Saskatoon; CHLO, London; CKOC, Hamilton; CKPT, Peterborough; CFRA, Ottawa; CFOX, Montreal, and CJCH, Halifax, with a Winnipeg station expected to join later.
  
The most fascinating part of the article for me was the initial nine records that were being considered for the start of the campaign. See how many of these you recognize:
 
-"Hands of the Clock" (The Life),
-"Oh Deed I Do" (Elyse Weinberg),
-"Early Morning" (The Collectors),
-"When I Die" (Motherlode),
-"Pack It In" (Buckstone Hardware),
-"Lovin' Sound" (Five Man Electrical Band),
-"Good Morning" (The Sceptres),
-"I Want You" (Soundbox)
-"Laughing Song" (B. J. Bird).
 
“When I Die” was a big hit, of course. And I always liked “Hands Of The Clock,” although it’s likely most have never heard it. (Ironically, it was on the CKFH chart for a while, which is where I originally discovered it.)  

As for the others? They’re complete and utter mysteries to me and I’m betting to most of you, too. Obviously, the strategy wasn’t successful and the rules went into effect, if memory serves, around 1971.
 
By the way, there’s a chart underneath the second linked article titled “Billboard Canada’s Top Singles.” On this particular week, only two of the 20 listed would qualify as Can Con: “Baby I Love You” by Andy Kim at #9, and “Spinning Wheel,” by Blood, Sweat & Tears, which debuted at #16. The BS&T album, along with a Leonard Cohen and a Joni Mitchell entry, are the only ones on Billboard’s Canuck Album Chart.

Billboard Story: Canada Radio's Local Act Push Page 1

Billboard Story: 12 Canadian Top 40 Stations Begin Plan on Local Talent Page 2