Showing 35 results

This series contains copies of Minutes of Executive Council (orders-in-council), relating to lands and resources for which no approval notices received.

This series consists of correspondence relating to the issuance of commissions to members of the Executive Council, to the oath of allegiance taken by cabinet ministers, and to royal toasts; index and registers of oaths of office and oaths of allegiance of members of the Executive Council.

This series consists of record of appeals heard by the Executive Council.

This series consists of eight pages of correspondence regarding subjects arising from the convention held at Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., September 23, 24 and 25, 1946 to be submitted to the Hon. the Premier and the Cabinet by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

This series contains minutes from the Executive Council meetings. Records of interest in this series include minutes "relative to the Indian troubles on the Skeena River," from 1888.; dispatches, reports, and correspondence concerning the relocation of Songhees Indian reserve, 1893-1896. The series also includes a copy of the Report on British Columbia for Royal Colonial Institute (for use in British elementary schools), 1884.

This series contains proceedings of appeals brought before cabinet regarding the Forest Act, Motor Carrier Act, Public Utilities Commission Act, and Pollution Control Act. Appellants include Celgar Development Company, Empire Mills Ltd., CN Transportation, Westcoast Transmission, British Columbia Forests Products, Port Alberni Warehousing, and the Corporation of the District of Saanich.

The series consists of volumes of indexes to Orders in Council (OIC) created between 1872 and 1984. The indexes relate to GR-0113 Orders in Council. The oversize volumes were maintained by the Provincial Secretary's office prior to the introduction of an automated indexing system in 1985 and digitization of the records, now available on the BC Laws website: http://www.bclaws.ca/. In most instances, OICs are indexed under the name of the statutes to which they relate. The series also includes ledgers recording documents issued under the Great Seal. The ledgers are arranged by Act name and list the relevant OIC as well as the name and address of the appointee mentioned in the OIC.

Minute books of the Executive Council of the Province of British Columbia (3 volumes): January 3, 1908 - December 30, 1909; January 3, 1912 - December 31, 1913; January 31 1914 - November 22, 1916.

This series consists of a brief of the Mining Association of British Columbia to the premier and cabinet.

This series contains transcripts of hearings before the Minister of Lands and Forests and the Cabinet regarding the application of Celgar Ltd. for a Forest Management Licence (1952) in the Arrow Lakes.

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.

This series contains papers relating to the Government Committee on ship-building. The committee was formed by Premier Sir Richard McBride in 1915, after considerable lobbying on the part of shipyards, lumber interests, and local Boards of Trade. The committee was chaired by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Charles E. Tisdall. In January 1916 the committee issued a circular letter asking ship-owners, builders, brokers, etc. their views as to the best means of developing a merchant marine. The committee received a large number of replies, offering advice on the costs of construction, hull designs, the merits of wooden vs. steel ships, marine engine types, government subsidies, and related issues. The government subsequently introduced the B.C. Shipping Act [BCS, 1916, c. 57] which established the B.C. Shipping Commission, an agency authorized to provide loans, subsidies, and other assistance to the marine industry. The act was repealed in 1922.

This series contains copies of British Columbia Executive Council minutes from 10 January 1865 to 7 July 1871.

This series contains records of the Deputy Provincial Secretary relating to the operations of the Ministry's branches. Many of these records deal with heritage conservation, museums, and cultural organizations. Records also deal with the administration of Royal Canadian Humane Association awards for bravery and life-saving.

GR-1661 is a pot-pourri of records accumulated by the office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary and by his various Assistant Deputy Ministers.The diversity of this collection is testimony to the multi- faceted operations and responsibilities of the Provincial Secretary's department.

A substantial number of the files deal with Heritage Conservation policies and heritage sites, such as Craigflower Schoolhouse, Barkerville, and Fort Steele.Many of the files also deal with cultural organizations and activities, with provincial fitness and recreation programmes, and with special interest groups.Other files in this unit pertain to the Royal Canadian Humane Association awards for bravery (which were coordinated by the ministry), to specific legislation re:the provincial flag, the provincial tartan, etc., and to the organization of out-of-town cabinet meetings.

This series consists of a variety of administrative files, subject files, briefing books and transition books created and used by staff of the Premier’s Office, Cabinet Operations and Cabinet Secretariat from 1970-1998. Files relate to office procedures, committees, legislation and various issues or topics being considered by the Premier’s Office.

This series includes a wide range of record types which were intermingled with Cabinet Committee files in GR-3676 and GR-3677. Some of the records likely overlap with or relate to these other series. Many subject files appear to have been used by Cabinet for informational purposes and may be related to Cabinet meetings or other Cabinet committee files in GR-3676.

Types of records are grouped together as they were found in their original boxes. These groupings are identified in the file list where possible. However, many groupings have no clear order within a single grouping or clear relationship to other groupings of records in this series. Original file lists provided by the Premiers Office listed most files as "miscellaneous." Common types of records include:

Subject files relate to a particular Ministry, committee, project or issue requiring consideration or approval by Cabinet. Records include Treasury Board and Cabinet submissions; memos sent by the Premier's Office to ministries regarding approvals; reports; correspondence; copies of articles; Orders-in-Council (OICs), mostly relating to appointments; reference materials from other jurisdictions to compare other government's structure and procedures; training materials and manuals for new staff and incoming Cabinet Committee members; and letters to the Director of Intergovernmental affairs to express concerns or to report on other Cabinet Committee activities. Ministry subject files relate to legislation and issues of a specific Ministry; they are generally arranged roughly by date and alphabetically by Ministry name. Other subject files generally have no clear order.

Administrative files from the Cabinet Secretariat regard policies, procedures, human resources material, and guidelines. Many procedure files outline the process for passing legislation and the role of various government functions and bodies. This also includes press releases, newspaper clippings, speeches and communication plans of Ann Newby, Director of Communications Branch for the Premiers Office. Administrative files are intermixed with subject files.

Records regarding the Premier’s official visits are primarily itineraries outlining the Premier’s, Cabinet’s or their delegation’s daily schedule during visits, as well as briefing books. The briefing books contain guests lists, biographies of people present, background notes, speaking notes, briefing notes, meeting agendas and talking points. Related briefing books, including constituency brief books, in this series pertain to regions in British Columbia and are intended to convey important information about issues that are specific and important to the people in those regions. They include local area profiles, economic and industrial overviews, contacts, statistics and summarized issues submitted by each Ministry and the Provincial Government’s position on these issues. The records are organized by visit and are typically titled using the location and date of the visit.

Records regarding the Office of the Ombudsman/Ombudsperson are subject files held by the Cabinet Secretariat. Records include Ombudsman special reports submitted to the Lieutenant Governor or Legislative Assembly regarding investigations into complaints made against the government; correspondence between the Ombudsman and members of Cabinet or the Cabinet Secretariat; and background materials related to reports. Many of the Files are related to issues with Workers Compensation Board claims. There are also files on other controversial topics such as the closure of Tranquille and logging on Shoal Island.

The series also contains transition books and briefing binders for the transfer of power after an election. These books provide information on existing government Ministries, including priorities, critical issues, overview of the Ministry, members of the executive council, parliamentary secretaries, acting minsters, and responsibilities for Crown Corporation, Boards, Commissions and agencies. Records for the newly elected Premier Glen Clark in 1996 include floppy disks.

There are records on the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference and Cabinet retreat planning records, 1985-1994.

There is also a group of records specifically related to Premier Bill Vander Zalm’s government restructuring plans from 1985-1991. This includes cabinet shuffles, and the regionalization of government which resulted in the appointment of Ministers of State for different regions of the province. Records include OICs appointments, procedures, legal opinions, correspondence, speeches, press releases, a 1991 speech from the throne, major policies issues and briefing notes showing the government’s priorities for ministries and constitutional issues resulting from the Meech Lake Accord.

Records in the series are covered by ORCS 10200-20 and 10400-20 of schedule 881099 (Office of the Premier and Executive Council) and were scheduled for full retention.

This series consists of a photocopy of the schedule referred to in order-in-council No. 911, approved 26 July 1923 regarding confirmation of reserves, reduction of cut-offs, new reserves as a result of work of [William E.] Ditchburn [and Col. J.W.] Clark, to amend work of the Commission on Indian Lands and Indian Affairs in General in British Columbia, 1913-1916. This document is commonly known as the Ditchburn-Clark Report.

The series consists of correspondence accompanying briefs presented to the Executive Council. A chronological list appears in box 1 file 1. The briefs themselves have been removed by the Legislative Library and catalogued in their main catalogue under the organization or individual presenting the brief.

This series contains a brief submitted by the Atlin District Board of Trade on "Proposed Development for North-West British Columbia." The series also contains reports and position papers submitted by the provincial government to the Alaska-British Columbia-Yukon Conference at Whitehorse, 1964.

This series consists of papers of the Lieutenant-Governors of British Columbia. Includes transcripts of telegrams between Victoria and Ottawa, letterbook copies of official despatches outward (1871-1881), despatches inward from Governor General, Secretary of State, and Senior Naval Officer, Esquimalt (1871-1918), along with official correspondence from British Columbia government ministries and departments (1874-1919). Also includes miscellaneous, general, and semi- official correspondence inward, addresses, petitions, and memorials, (1872-1936). Records have been organized into five sub-series:

Letterbook copies of official correspondence outward (1896-1919) are on microfilm. Volume 5 (Feb - Dec 1902) and Volume 17 (1915) were missing at the time of filming. Date ranges correspond to the microfilm box labels.

Correspondence Inward: Despatches from the Canadian Government Secretary of State for the Provinces. Official correspondence from the Dominion of Canada to the Province of British Columbia. Files include minutes and reports of Privy Council, memoranda from the Colonial Secretary (London), and other government correspondence relating to British Columbia.

Miscellaneous correspondence inward. Variously entitled "All & Sundry", and "Tout le Monde", files include communications from Colonial Secretary (London) federal and provincial government officials, British consulates and embassies, and Lieutenant Governors of other provinces. Correspondence also includes petitions, memorials, and addresses, letters from private persons and circulars.

General Correspondence inward (I): Unlike volumes 58-65 above, general correspondence files include official despatches from Secretary of State, Ottawa, with official communications from BC government ministries and departments. Files include replies to correspondents.

General Correspondence (II) - Subject Files

British Columbia, Executive Council minute book, 1910-1912; legal papers concerning the affairs and estate of William Bowser; voters list from the Cariboo electoral district, May 1931; letter inward from the Ku-Klux Klan, 1933; correspondence with John H. Turner, Agent General, concerning the Turner's resignation, 1915.

Amor De Cosmos, British Columbia newspaperman and politician, was born in Nova Scotia as William Alexander Smith in 1825 and migrated to Victoria, via the California gold fields, in 1858. As editor of The Colonist, and elected representative in Vancouver Island's colonial government, De Cosmos was active in public affairs. Upon Confederation De Cosmos represented British Columbia (Victoria District) in the House of Commons at Ottawa from 1871 to 1882. During that time he was appointed a Special Agent on 14 October 1880 by George Anthony Walkem's provincial government to present the views of the provincial government to Sir John A. Macdonald's federal administration on the subject of the Vancouver Island section of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Unable to achieve positive results in Ottawa, De Cosmos proceeded to London in May 1881 to present the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Kimberley, with a petition to the Queen on the subject of Canada's railway obligations to British Columbia. He returned to Ottawa in November 1881 to pursue discussions with the various officials concerned. The provincial government relieved De Cosmos of his special duties in May 1882 whereupon De Cosmos returned to Victoria to contest unsuccessfully the June 1882 general election.

The papers consist chiefly of manuscript copies of telegrams, notes and letters between De Cosmos and others while he was acting as Special Agent of the government of British Columbia at Ottawa and London from 1880 to 1882. Some of the correspondence has been published in the 1881 B.C. Sessional Papers, pp. 490-494; see also "Papers relating to the mission of the Hon. Amor De Cosmos to London in 1881 . . . (NW 971B/B862pa); and 'Island railway papers compiled by Amor De Cosmos' (NW971B/D296).

One plan transferred to the map collection [also filmed with correspondence on microfilm reel A00792(1)]. One plan showing a proposed railway ferry between Nanaimo Harbour and English Bay, Burrard Inlet also between Gabriola Pass and Pont Grey has been transferred to the map collection as CM/A984. For related records, see GR-1306, Lieutenant Governor's correspondence.

The series consists of correspondence, 1913-1916, that was originally a part of the Provincial Secretary's Central Registry. The records include grant applications from charitable organizations (e.g. Salvation Army Rescue and Maternity Home, Vancouver); petitions from various citizens groups and trades organizations (e.g. re: Pacific Great Eastern railway, prohibition, and Weekly Half Holiday Act); plus files on diverse topics such as the Belgian Relief Fund (which was administered by the Provincial Secretary), the Progress Club of Vancouver, the provincial coat-of-arms, prohibition, half-day closing, the Provincial Archives and W.W. Walkem's "Stories of Early British Columbia".

Medical certificates, testimonials, diplomas, correspondence, 1863 and 1865, and commissions appointing Helmcken to the Legislative Council and Executive Council of British Columbia, 1867-1869.

This series consists of background materials used by members of cabinet in the creation and approval of orders-in-council (OICs) and Ministerial Orders, from 1989-2003.

The majority of these records are information sheets or resumes which identify the relevant Ministry, contact person, summary of background information, authority (such as any related legislation), concerns from Legislative Counsel, impacts of the OIC, and tracking information. The OIC number is usually stamped in the top right corner. Numbers with the prefix “M” are Ministerial Orders, not OICs.

Information sheets may be stapled to other associated supporting records such as correspondence, reference materials, financial impact statements, copies of the OIC, and coloured slips showing it has been reviewed by Legislative Counsel. Green slips note the OIC can proceed, yellow indicates certain conditions that need to be met, and red indicates the OIC may be invalid or open to challenge. Most packages do not include copies of the actual OIC.

There are also a few files relating to a 1983 OIC “reduction exercise”. This involved reviewing legislation to determine if statutory powers requiring routine OICs to have full consideration and approval of cabinet could be transferred to the Minister concerned. This change was considered so Cabinet could spend more time on “non-routine” issues.

Early OICs are grouped by the name of the Ministry responsible, and roughly chronologically within each grouping. Sheets may not clearly be labelled with the year and files may contain OICs for multiple years.

Later OICs are arranged chronologically by year and OIC number. There may not be records for every OIC number or there may be a placeholder noting where records for an OIC are not included. Each year filed chronologically may begin with files for minutes of Cabinet and other miscellaneous files related to OICS of that year.

Records in the series are covered by ORCS 10200-30 of schedule 881099 (Office of the Premier and Executive Council).

The series consists of records created by the Cabinet Operations branch of the Office of the Premier from 1980-2001. Most records were created by various Cabinet Committees responsible for reviewing legislation, as well as some regulations and Orders-in-Council (OICs). These committees include:

Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL)
Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Regulations (CCLR)
Cabinet Committee on Regulations and Orders in Council
Cabinet Committee on Legislation, Regulations and Orders in Council
Cabinet/Caucus Committee on Legislation (CCCL)

Records include committee meeting minutes, correspondence, recommendations, legal advice, legislative proposals and requests for legislation. A large portion of the records are the minutes and meeting files produced by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

Cabinet Operations controls the process by which legislation is proposed and reviewed prior to the legislation being prepared as a Bill. These records may relate to the preparation of instructions and templates for the submission of legislative proposals, requests for legislation, or the tracking of submissions throughout the legislative approval process. This process begins when a ministry submits their legislative proposals for consideration. If a legislative proposal is approved, the ministry will be asked to develop a formal Request for Legislation (RFL). The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) will review the RFLs and make recommendations to Cabinet on policies and programs requiring change. Legislative Counsel, working with the ministry, is then responsible for drafting individual bills, acts, and regulations.

These records provide evidence of the development and coordination of this legislative review process, and include records pertaining to both new and amended legislation. The records relate to entire bills or Acts, as well as records of amendments to particular sections of an Act. These may be referred to as major or minor changes in the file list.

Where possible, the records are arranged by year or legislative session, then alphabetically by Ministry name and then alphabetically by Act name within each Ministry grouping. This arrangement may not always be followed consistently throughout the records, especially for older ones.

In some cases, records were arranged in two distinct groupings within a file folder, with records clipped to both the left and right sides. Metal clips were removed for preservation purposes, but records from the left side are face-down on top of records on the right hand side, which are arranged face-up.

The records are covered by ORCS 10610-20 (schedule 881099) and were selected for full retention.

This series consists of one volume labelled "1872 Orders in Council 1 to 42". However, the numbers applied to these Orders are not consistent with the final approved Orders in Council. The records are certified copies of (assumed) drafts of 42 Orders in Council from 1872 created by the Clerk of the Executive Council. The Orders may be accompanied by associated material, such as other forms, correspondence, sketch maps or extracts of Council minutes.

This series consists of one volume of a record of documents retained by various government departments, 1934-1935.

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

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).

The series consists of Orders in Council (OIC) created between 1872 and 2009, arranged numerically by year and then by OIC number. The series also includes some maps and text attachments which were transferred in 1974 from the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary. An Order in Council is a directive issued by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of Cabinet authorizing certain actions, including creating simple legislation and granting political appointments.

Containers 941119-0002, 941119-0004, and 941119-0006 contain proclamations. These ledgers include a copy of the Order in Council relating to the proclamation and a copy of the proclamation. Each book contains an index listing both the OIC number and the subject of the proclamation.