Even before the creation of the Canadian Armoured Corps in August, 1940, it was obvious that tanks were going to be needed for armoured training in Canada, to supplement the existing 12 Vickers Mk VIB Light Tanks and handful of Carden Loyd carriers. It was obvious that Great Britain couldn't provide the tanks at the time so other avenues needed to be explored. The availability of surplus American M1917s first became known in July 1940. However, it would not be until August 1940 that General Worthington would travel to the U.S. to inspect them.

The acquisition of the tanks themselves was only made possible as a result of Prime Minister King's meeting with President Roosevelt on April 28, 1940 where King was able to persuade Roosevelt to loosen the terms of the American Neutrality Act to allow more material assistance to be provided to Canada and the United Kingdom.

There is little doubt that the M1917 was very much a stop-gap acquistion until more modern tanks became available, but nevertheless, it performed an important role in the training of infant Canadian armoured units. The cupboard was bare in 1940 and although the M1917 was admittedly outdated and mechanically unreliable, it provided 1st Army Tank Brigade with a real tank with which to cut their teeth. Had the acquisition of the M1917 not materialized, 1st Army Tank Brigade would have embarked for the United Kingdom with little, if any, hands on tactical training.