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Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Executive Council British Columbia--Politics and government
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Executive Council records

  • GR-0444
  • Series
  • 1859-1913

This series consists of records of the Executive Council, 1859-1913. Records include minutes of Colonial and Provincial Executive Council, ministerial reports, State Books, orders-in-council, registers, and indices (1859-1913), along with petitions, dispatches, and correspondence inward to Lieutenant- Governor in Council (1871-1909).

The Executive Council papers are among the most important of the early provincial government records held by the B.C. Archives. The value of the papers stems from the fact that the Council itself is the most important and influential level of government in the province. It is at the Executive Council level that government policies and regulations are discussed, formulated, and implemented; it is at this level that decisions are made regarding the overall running of the province. During the the period covered by GR-0444, it was also the responsibility of the Executive Council to handle the many contentious issues which affected Dominion-Provincial and Imperial-Provincial relations.

The Executive Council received and considered virtually all of the dispatches sent to the Lieutenant-Governor from Ottawa or London. Most of the petitions and memorials submitted by individuals or groups in the province to the Lieutenant-Governor were considered by the Council, too. In addition, the Executive Council dealt with correspondence from private citizens, as well as reports emanating from government ministries, departments, and agencies. In short, the Executive Council dealt with a myriad of issues - as is evidenced by the volume, range, and diversity of the papers in this record group.

Since the cabinet is the executive arm of the government, it has the authority to enact regulations, as defined by the Regulations Act (RS 1979 c. 361), Regulations, so defined, include rules, orders, proclamations, and bylaws of a legislative nature, made under or by the authority of any act passed by the legislative assembly. Among the regulations are Orders-in-Council which are formally described as "official documents promulgating Government decisions concerned with the day-to-day operation of the Province. Researchers consulting GR-0444 should note that Orders-in-Council are made under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor or, more precisely, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. The latter implies the Lieutenant Governor acting by and with the advice of, or by and with the advice and consent or in conjunction with, the Executive Council" (Interpretation Act, RS 1979, c.206). Thus, the term "Lieutenant-Governor in Council" occurs frequently with reference to business conducted by what is otherwise known as the Executive Council, or cabinet.

British Columbia. Executive Council

Executive Council transcripts of appeals

  • GR-1032
  • Series
  • 1976-1981

This series contains transcripts of appeals brought before cabinet, 26 July 1976 - 2 July 1981. Appeals herein initiated under authority of British Columbia: Dentistry Act, Pollution Control Act, Private Investigators' Licensing Act, Motor Carrier Act, and Water Act.

Cabinet appeals 1976-1981

Tape recordings of appeals herein transferred to PABC Sound and Moving Image Division (Acc. # 3912:1-81).

British Columbia. Executive Council

Correspondence and other material

  • GR-1311
  • Series
  • 1946-1947

This series contains correspondence and briefs submitted to the Executive Council. It includes applications and appeals pertaining to the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, Seaboard Distributors Ltd., Blunden Harbour Land Company Ltd., and sundry miscellaneous organizations.

British Columbia. Executive Council

Executive Council minute book

  • GR-1510
  • Series
  • 1916-1917

This series contains the minute book of the Executive Council for the period 29 November 1916 to 19 January 1917.

British Columbia. Executive Council