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Special event coverage

The file contains mounted copies of an illuminated address sent to H.M. King Edward VII expressing the legislature's deepest sorrow at the death of Queen Victoria, February 25, 1901.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): A.M. Hutchinson Interview PERIOD COVERED: 1902-1978 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-01-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: A.M. Hutchinson, the Sergeant-at-Arms in the B.C. Legislature, discusses: his childhood and education; becoming a junior clerk at the Bank of Commerce; beginning his training with the Mounted Police in Vancouver; working for Mounted Police in Montreal, Edmonton; enlisting with Canadian armed forces in WW II; returning to job with Mounted Police, this time in B.C.; farming in Central Saanich; starting work with the Sergeant-at-Arms; becoming Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms; being made Sergeant-at-Arms in 1971; duties as Sergeant-at-Arms (history, tradition, duty of carrying out directions of the Speaker). TRACK 2: Hutchinson discusses: further duties of Sergeant-at-Arms; role of Speaker in keeping House from becoming too rowdy; impartiality of Speaker-at-Arms; his own preference for the Social Credit Party; increased casualness in the dress of MLAs in the British Columbia Legislature; disturbances in public gallery in House. (End of interview)

This series contains annual addresses of the Chief Forester to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly Select Standing Committee on Forestry.

News item. Footage shows B.C. Legislature in full session. Sound is poor (except for the desk slapping by the MLAs), photography is on the dark side but still acceptable for available light situation.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0080 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: In a news conference and an interview RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-12-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In a press conference, Premier Bill Bennett makes observations upon his constituency work, the Prime Minister's Christmas message, electoral reform, the upcoming Oak Bay by-election of 1978, and the opinions held about BC overseas. He also discusses dominion/provincial relations and the E & N Railway. 20 December 1977. TRACK 2: In an interview with Jim Hume, Bennett discusses the upcoming Oak Bay by-election of 1978, dominion/provincial relations, and BC proposals made at a premiers' conference on economic planning. He also comments upon the retirement of the Lieutenant Governor, Walter Owen. 20 December 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0081 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Press conference RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-01-05 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In a news conference, Premier Bill Bennett sets the date for the 1978 Oak Bay by-election, as well as dates for the prorogation and the reconvening of the House. He comments on Prime Minister Trudeau's threatened use of force to keep Québec in confederation; he also discusses the BC Tel strike and the Royal Commission Special Report, and the Fort Nelson extension of the BCR. Among other issues mentioned are a federal dry dock in Vancouver, the BCRIC, and the E & N Railway appeal. 5 January 1978. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0025 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Announcements concerning BC Ferries RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett is interviewed, and Transportation Minister Jack Davis comments on the question of ferry routes and rates, 21 April 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett discusses the upcoming rate reductions for ferry services, 22 April 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0026 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Announcement concerning railway development and Pharmacare RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-05-10 & 12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett, Economic Development Minister Don Phillips and federal Justice Minister Ron Basford at a press conference about the $10 million agreement on Northern Coal and Railway development, 10 May 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett announces the introduction of a universal pharmacare system for BC, 12 May 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0027 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: on ferry rates and Governor Dixy Lee Ray RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-05-12 & 17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett announces new rates for BC Ferries, 12 May 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett comments on the cancellation of the visit to Victoria by Washington Governor Dixy Lee Ray. Also, Conservative leader Scott Wallace comments on the cancellation, 17 May 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0028 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Announces the reconvening of the Legislature RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-05-26 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett announces that the Legislature will re-convene on 13 June 1977. 26 May 1977. [TRACK 2: blank?] CALL NUMBER: T1707:0029 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Answers questions from Courtenay students RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-05-26 SUMMARY: Premier Bill Bennett answers questions from students of Courtenay High School, 26 May 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0015 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Federal/provincial negotiations RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-02-14 & 1977-03-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett's press conference regarding his recent trip to Ottawa. 14 February 1977. TRACK 2: Press conference with Premier Bill Bennett and federal Transport Minister Otto Lang, 1 March 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0016 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Speech to Social Credit meeting RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1977-02-23 SUMMARY: Premier Bill Bennett addresses a Social Credit Party meeting in Victoria, 23 February 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0017 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Comments on MLA salaries and on the delivery of justice RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett says the public is fed up with the behaviour of some MLAs, and says that their salaries may be cut. Also, Bennett's comments on remote air services. Finally, MLA Gary Lauk reacts to Bennett's remarks about MLAs. TRACK 2: Press conference with Premier W.R. Bennett and Vancouver prosecutor Gil McKinnon about his allegations concerning problems in the delivery of the justice system.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0018 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Press conferences on BC coal and BC Hydro RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-03-08 & 22 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett reacts to charges of closed door negotiations with the coal industry, 8 March 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett on the review of capital expenditures of BC Hydro, 22 March 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0019 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Press conferences on Railwest and gas contracts RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-03-23 & 28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett on the upcoming meeting with Railwest Manufacturing Company demonstrators, 23 March 1977. TRACK 2: Premier Bill Bennett's opening remarks to a joint Alberta-BC-federal government meeting on how to meet export gas requirements, 28 March 1977.

CALL NUMBER: T1707:0042 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: News conferences on BCR and Legislative sitting length, and new investment corporation RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-06 & 09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett's press conference on the BC Railway, Railwest and the length of the current legislative session, 6 June 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett announces the formation of a major new private investment corporation, 9 June 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0043 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: News conferences on Ontario election, NDP caucus, unemployed RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-10 & 14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett comments on the election of a Conservative minority government in Ontario, 10 June 1977. Also, Human Rights Director Kathleen Ruff comments on the Human Rights Code. TRACK 2: Bennett criticizes the NDP for their boycott of the Legislative Assembly, and also speaks about unemployment, 14 June 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0044 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: News conference on Vancouver resource board, Canada Day message RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-28 & 07-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett comments on the protests of the Downtown Eastside Residents' Association about the elimination of the Vancouver Resource Board. Also, the comments of Bruce Eriksen of DERA. 28 June 1977. TRACK 2: Bennett's Canada Day message, 1 July 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1707:0045 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bill Bennett: Welcomes Alcan pipeline route recommendation ; News conference RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-01-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Premier Bill Bennett welcomes the recommendations of the National Energy Board for the Alcan pipeline route. TRACK 2: News conference, 10 January 1977.

This series consists of bills, draft bills, orders of the day, notes on debates, estimates, draft legislation, statutes, subject files and other records of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly, 1868-1872.

The first versions or drafts of a bill or act are known as the Blues version, after the blue paper used for the printing. The final version, printed by the Queen’s Printer, is on white paper. All blues versions will be identified as draft. Final versions will be noted at “Statute”.

Notes (authorship undetermined) on various political issues concerning British Columbia and its relations with the federal government, and with various provincial inquiries.

SUMMARY: Report by Bill Herbert about the opening of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly and the Speech from the Throne.;

The item is a video containing footage of a recording of a 1990 budget speech delivered in the BC Legislature by Minister of Finance Mel Couvelier, and the reply by the Opposition Finance critic, Glen Clark.

The item is a video of BC budget footage. Includes:
The 1988 budget speech for the Province of BC, delivered in the Legislative Assembly on March 24, 1988 by the Hon. Mel Couvelier, Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations (and MLA for Saanich and the Islands).
Reply to the 1988-1989 budget by Nanaimo MLA David D. Stupich, BC New Democrat finance critic.

Stock shots

Stock shots. 1. Fire alarm boxes - not in service - old service retired. 2. Shipyard. 3. Old apartment building; ancient fire alarm; windows locked shut. 4. Boycott of J.P. Stevens textile products. 5. Airlift of the killer whale "Miracle" at Sealand. 6. [Mayor of Victoria?] 7. Construction. 8. Opening of the Legislature. 9. Unidentified press conference. 10. Cabins - burned and damaged. 11. Rescue exercise at a bridge. 12. Architectural plans. 13. MacDonald's Bread. 14. Old run-down school. 15. Swearing-in of the Cabinet. 16. Tall ship [Nippon Maru from Japanese Navy?] 17. Loading up cases of beer. 18. Unidentified interview. 19. Fire! - on the waterfront [at Ogden Point?]. 20. Plans for a ferry - shipyard scenes. 21. Putting a tree in place -[Christmas?]. 22. Garbage truck in a ditch. 23. Ship at sea. 24. NORML spokesman George Baker - lobby to legalize marijuana.

Stock shots. 1. Public Service Alliance meeting - unidentified speaker. 2. Air Canada plane arrives. 3. Airport interior with Oriental family. 4. Unidentified (First Nations?) couple in apartment. 5. John Wayne - on his boat in Inner Harbour. 6. David Suzuki - interview. 7. Rolf Harris - at a school, Monday, February 9, 1981. 8. [Unidentified.] 9. [Unidentified.] 10. Peter C. Newman. 11. Pierre Berton. 12. School exterior. 13. Large tree fallen on power lines. 14. Storm damage. 15. Damaged vehicles. 16. Truck being pulled out of the Inner Harbour. 17. Overturned fuel truck in ditch. 18. Garbage on roadside - garbage truck in ditch. 19. The Snowbirds - planes flying in formation. 20. MLAs in the legislature. 21. The ferry "Queen of Prince Rupert". 22. Free bus. 23. Front-end loader. 24. Steam engine #4012.

Stock shots. 1. Outdoor speech - Pierre Trudeau. 2. Joe Clark. 3. Ship in harbour - the "Chavez". 4. Small freighter "Samarkanda" being unloaded. Police boat; gunny sacks. 5. Naval vessel. 6. Colour Guard at the Legislature. Lieutenant-Governor [presumably Bell-Irving] reviewing troops. Demonstrations re: Rock Creek, Cheekye-Dunsmuir power line. Premier Bill Bennett and cabinet ministers. 7. Demonstration at Harbour Square re: BC Buildings Corporation. 8. Colonist newspaper headline re: Sandanista victory. 9. Harmac strike banner - PPWC Local 8. 10. Pickets in front of the Empress Hotel. 11. Evangelical baptisms - field service. 12. Water bombing - blazing forests. 13. Interior of cathedral interior - unidentified dignitary. 14. BC Ferry aground on the rocks. Damage review. 15. Forest fire and water bombers. 16. Craigdarroch Castle. 17. Victoria Conservatory of Music. 18. Sketch of masked person. 19. BC Ferry & Marine Workers Union - on strike. 20. Submarine. 21. Fire - unidentified location. 22. The Raeside cartoon of "Vander Zalm picking the wings off a fly". 23. Flag raising outside Legislature. 24. James Bay Lodge. 25. Royal Trust Building. Police and military personnel. [A bomb or hostage taking incident?]

Stock shots. Footage of political personalities from Victoria and Vancouver Island. 1. Lieutenant-governor & Premier W.R. Bennett at Legislature opening. 2. [Lord Mountbatten?] 3. Lieutenant-Governor Walter Owen. 4. Sam Bawlf - Social Credit cabinet minister) and Victoria MLA. 5. [Unity Task Force Member?] 6. Charles Barber - NDP MLA (Victoria). 7. Same as above - outside Legislature. 8. Joe Clark - leader of Conservative party, with local MPs Don Munro and Alex MacKinnon. 9. Bill Vander Zalm - Social Credit Minister of Municipal Affairs. 10. Dave Barrett - NDP Leader of Opposition. 11. Pat McGeer - Social Credit Minister of Education, re: tunnel. 12. [Federal Minister of Small Business?] 13. [Political pollster?] 14. Dave Barrett - NDP Leader of Opposition - bashing Socreds, calls for election. 15. Same as #13 above. 16. Governor-General Ed Schreyer. 17. Ed Broadbent - federal NDP leader. 18. Jean Chretien - Liberal MP and cabinet minister. 19. Pierre Trudeau - Prime Minister (1978 election?). 20. Joe Clark - at Victoria Airport.

This series consists of records of the Royal Commission on Electoral reform, 1978-1979. Records include exhibits, transcripts of evidence, correspondence, subject files, abstract of evidence, subject index and master index to exhibits and witnesses, circulars, Opinion poll questionnaires, Interim Report, list of maps, and a preliminary report on "Redefinition of Electoral Districts and Boundaries" to his honour Judge L.S. Eckardt by Inspector J.M.P. Molyneux.

The finding aid consists of a brief file list and two appendices. Appendix 1 is a list of electoral districts, intended as an aid to access to the correspondence files (boxes 6 and 7). Appendix 2 consists of two lists: one for exhibits entitled "Index of letters and briefs: Chronological order of hearing dates, locations, exhibits entered and by whom, volume and page number", and the other for oral submissions and mini panels entitled "Index of persons participating in hearings, either by oral submission or mini panels: chronological order of hearing dates, names of witnesses presenting verbal submissions and/or participating in mini panels, volume and page number."

Note that exhibits presented at Hearing 41 (61A, 65A, 114B, 117B, and 170-180A) and Hearing 44 (186 and 187) were read into the record by the Commission Secretary.

Series consists of correspondence, 1926, 1935-1937, 1952-1962; notes; speeches; printed materials; and newspaper clipping books containing reports of legislative sessions, 1936, 1943, 1945, 1956-1959.

CALL NUMBER: T1704:0108 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: Press conferences on BC economy RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-02-18 & 03-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: David Barrett calls unemployment a social time bomb, 18 February 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett says announced spending by MacMillan Bloedel is routine, and not a major new initiative, 23 March 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0109 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett : New conferences RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-03-22 & 04-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Opposition leader David Barrett explains why he was ejected from the Legislature after failing to withdraw a remark claiming that Human Resources Minister Bill Vander Zalm had lied to the House, 30 March 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett dismisses the importance of a new standing committee of the Legislature that will oversee the operation of BC Crown corporations, 6 April 1977. Also, a statement by Premier W.R. Bennett outlining the operation of the new committee, 6 April 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0110 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: On government negotiations, Philliponis, Railwest RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-04-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett reacts to the recent federal/provincial cost sharing agreement, and criticizes the ability of the provincial government to negotiate with the federal government, 18 April 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett denies any political connections with the Philliponi family and comments about the economic problems of the Railwest plant at Squamish, 20 April 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0111 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: Makes a statement about unemployment RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-05-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett makes a statement about the problem of unemployment in BC, May 11, 1977. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T1704:0113 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: On independent schools and nuclear power RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-13 & 20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Opposition Leader Dave Barrett describes the NDP's position on aid to independent schools, and his party's boycott of the second reading of the bill, 13 June 1977. Also, the comments of Premier W.R. Bennett, Education Minister Pat McGeer, and NDP MLA Dennis Cocke, 13 June 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett says that BC Hydro chairman Robert Bonner should not be setting government policy for nuclear power, 20 June 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0114 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett : On legislative practice and Alcan pipeline route, July 1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-07-04 & 07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett on the ruling of the Speaker on a question of privilege related to the Public Accounts Committee, 4 July 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett on the proposed Alcan pipeline, 7 July 1977. Also, Graham Lea on the Minister of Mines. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0115 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: Charges Alex Fraser with patronage RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-07-05 & 06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett charges Highways Minster Alex Fraser with patronage and nepotism in the hiring of his former son-in-law; also, Fraser's response, 5 July 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett on the same topic, 6 July 1977.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dennis Cocke: Tribute to Rae Eddie, former NDP MLA for New Westminster RECORDED: [location unknown], [1977-02-07?] SUMMARY: NDP MLA Dennis Cocke (New Westminster) pays tribute to former New Westminster MLA Rae Eddie on his death, 07-Feb-1977.;

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Edwin DeBeck Interview RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1974 SUMMARY: T0271:0001-0003 comprise a three-part interview about DeBeck's life, conducted by Inez O'Reilly. Topics include his early years in New Westminster and Vancouver; his work at the Canadian Scottish Cann;ery in Steveston; his later life at and around Alert Bay, where his father was Indian Agent (1903-1906); his experiences as a defense lawyer during the Potlatch trials in the 1920s; experiences as Sup;erintendent of Brokers and Inspector of Credit Unions (1937-1940); and Clerk of Legislative Assembly (1940 -).;

This series consists of poll-books, voters' lists, and correspondence relating to two landmark elections in British Columbia: the election of 1871 of representatives to the provincial legislature, and the election of 1872, called to elect provincial members to the Dominion House of Commons - respectively the first provincial election and the first federal election held in B.C. These records document B.C.'s last "open voting" elections (i.e. a secret ballot was not used). Compiled by A.F. Pemberton, Chief Returning Officer for Victoria, the records pertain to Victoria City, Victoria District, Esquimalt and Metchosin.

The election of 1871 was held in various parts of the province between October and December. It was conducted in accordance with the Colonial Election Regulation Act [34 Vic., No. 13, a statute which affirmed the practice of open voting (as opposed to the secret ballot). Thus, the poll books in this collection show the names of electors and the candidates for whom each elector voted. Voter's qualifications were determined by the colonial Qualification and Registration of Voters' Act [34 Vic., No. 156]. To qualify for the franchise, a voter had to be male, a loyal British subject, over twenty-one years of age, literate (at least able to write his name), and a resident in B.C. for no less than six months. In addition, qualified electors had to meet one of the following criteria: occupy premises with an annual rent of $40 or more; own freehold property having an assessed value of at least $250; have a pre-emption claim of 100 acres or more; possess a free-miners' license.

The Dominion election of 1872 was held under the authority of two federal statutes: the Interim Parliamentary Election Act of 1871 [34 Vic., c.20] and the Act to Re-adjust the Representation in the House of Commons, 1872 [35 Vic., c.13]. The first statute made provisions for holding a federal election in B.C.; the second confirmed the number of MPs to be elected from B.C. [6] and established federal electoral boundaries. 2 MPs were elected from the district of Victoria; 1 MP from the district of Vancouver (i.e. Vancouver Island north of Victoria and adjacent to the Gulf Islands); 1 MP for each of the districts of New Westminster, Yale, and Cariboo. Section 5 of the Interim Parliamentary Elections Act declared that the laws already in force in B.C. would apply to the election of 1872. Accordingly, polling for the province's first federal election was carried out under colonial legislation noted above. The Dominion election was also carried out in accordance with B.C.'s Corrupt Practices Prevention Act [34 Vic., No. 158], a colonial statute which stipulated that candidates had to declare all expenses incurred during their campaign. Hence the documents in Box 1, files 6 & 7 of this collection.

The records in GR-1667 relate solely to the Victoria electoral district. For elections to the provincial legislature, the riding included areas within the city's limits. Federally, however, the electoral district of Victoria embraced the City of Victoria and adjacent areas of Saanich (Victoria District), Esquimalt and Metchosin. A.F. Pemberton was the district's chief Returning Officer in both elections. In the provincial election -- held on 16 October 1871 -- Pemberton established the district polling station at the Police Barracks in Bastion Square. In the Dominion election -- held on 2 September 1872 -- he established six polling stations. The polls were open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Three candidates contested the two Victoria seats: Amor DeCosmos, Henry Nathan and Robert Beavan. DeCosmos, and Nathan were elected. The results of the election, and returns from each of the polling stations, were published in the Victoria Daily Colonist (3 Sep 1872).