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British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General
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Records of the Attorney General

  • GR-3944
  • Series
  • 1945-1972, 1974-2001

This series consists of subject files, correspondence and other records from the Office of the Attorney General from 1945-1972, 1974-2001. The records document all aspects of the Attorney General's role, including: advice to Cabinet; political oversight of the ministry; and involvement in inter-ministerial and inter-governmental initiatives. Files relate to all branches and functions of the Ministry of Attorney General and many include an overview of the work conducted by various branches of the ministry.

The majority of records are annual subject or correspondence files documenting the Attorney General’s liaison with government ministries and other government bodies, such as BC Ferries and BC Hydro. For earlier records, this includes annual correspondence files with Members of the Legislative Assembly, Ministers, and a few members of the public such as concerned citizens, and representatives of various organizations or companies. These files may contain correspondence in and out, alongside related reference material. In later series outgoing correspondence may be filed separately as flimsies (outgoing correspondence sent by the Attorney General). Some of the flimsies reply to correspondence written by members of the public and subsequently forwarded to the Attorney General from various officials for a response.

In addition, many records are copies requiring review or approval by the Attorney General, such as requests for legislation, and orders in council (OICs) and related background information.

Other types of records vary over the years and may include: Police Board records, including minutes; settlement offers with First Nations; Police Services complaints commission records; Human Rights Tribunal records, including reasons for decision; annual reports; legal opinions; press releases; newspaper clippings; staff personnel records; newsletters; correspondence; statistics; reports; budgets; audits; Freedom of Information requests; Treasury Board submissions; newspaper clippings; court records; files related to sessions of parliament including Bills, notes and responses to questions; daily journals or agendas (these are the only records in the series covering the years 1945-1951); briefs submitted to Cabinet from interested third parties. Many records appear to be informational to keep the Attorney General informed about various issues or the progress of programs and projects.

The subjects included in these records are extremely diverse, as the Attorney General interacted with all branches of government. A few prominent subjects include: liquor control, Doukhobors, Policing, allegations of corruption and abuse of authority by government officials or police, horse racing, conferences, Royal Commissions, Bank of British Columbia, Columbia River Treaty and power development project, and Dominion Provincial Conferences.

The records include a VHS videotape providing an overview of Thomas R. Berger’s report addressing claims of sexual abuse at Jericho Hill School for the Deaf. The videotape also contains the Attorney General at the time, the Honorable Colin Gablemann’s ministerial statement tabling Berger’s report to the Legislature on June 28th, 1995.

Names and dates of Attorney Generals covering these records are:
Robert Bonner (1952–1968)
Leslie Peterson (1968–1972)
Alex MacDonald (1972–1975)
Brian Smith (1983-1988)
Bud Smith (1988-1990)
Russell Fraser (1990-1991)
Colin Gabelmann (1991-1995)
Ujjal Dosanjh (1995–2000)
Andrew Petter (2000)
Graeme Bowbrick (2000–2001)
Geoff Plant (2001–2005)

These records are covered under Executive Records schedule 102906. Accession 86-0270 is covered under onetime schedule number 860140.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Assistant Deputy Minister of Court Services Branch records

  • GR-3931
  • Series
  • 1973-1994

This series consists of executive records of the Court Services Branch, including those of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of the Attorney General. Records range in date from 1973-1994. This includes operational and administrative files from the Court Services Headquarters in Victoria and may relate to all court registries throughout BC.

The majority of records consist of correspondence, minutes, reference material, forms, drafts, legislation, and manuals. The first two accessions are arranged according to a Court Services specific file code system.

Files may regard: legislation drafting, amending or reference; circulars; news releases and clippings; statistics; executive correspondence referral replies or complaints, many related to issues with members of the public obtaining copies of documents or other services from Court Services; liaison and co-operation with other political bodies; creation of forms; administrative records related to staffing and appointments; wrongful imprisonment; staff errors and complaints against staff; escape incident case files; escort and security procedures; registry policy and procedures including their development, legal requirements and circulation to all registries; Family Court procedures, including the enforcement of Family Maintenance orders; personal property and debt collection case files; executions and serving of documents including procedures, complaints and staff appointments; interpleader files and actions against sheriffs; and, subject files on a variety of topics.

There are also many committee and meeting records, including those of Court Services Policy Board, Board of Sheriffs, Regional Court Administrators, Board of District Managers, Court Services Advisory Board, Court Services Status of Women Committee, Ministerial Case Management Evaluation Task Force Committee, Victim Assistance Committee, Justice Institute, Corrections Branch, Executive Policy Board, Canadian Bar Association, BC Association of Chiefs of Police, and various committees reviewing legislation and planning its implementation.

Files in accession 92-4831 were created from the mid-1980s on and utilize a different file system known as the Operational Records Classification System (ORCS) and Administrative Records Classification System (ARCS). These records relate to IT projects, budgets, various committee files, and the procedural analysis of the Provincial Family Court and Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP).

The Ministry responsible for these records and associated dates are:

British Columbia. Ministry of Attorney General (1979-)
British Columbia. Ministry of the Attorney-General (1976-1979)
British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General (1871-1976)

British Columbia. Court Services

Robert Bonner interview : [Mitchell, 1980]

T0244:0005: Robert Bonner: early years, education, military school, legal training and interest in politics. 1920-1950
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses his personal and family background. Recollections of growing up and going to school in Vancouver during the 1920s and 1930s. Important influences during his early years. The effect of growing up during the Depression. Early interest in politics. Criticism of socialists. Recollection of political action during his days at UBC. Work experience during his student days. Comments on his ambition to be a lawyer from an early age. Undergraduate experience at UBC. TRACK 2: Robert Bonner recounts his reaction to the outbreak of WWII. Training as an officer with the Seaforth Highlanders. Discussion of his service overseas. Being wounded during the invasion of Italy and convalescence in England. Return to Canada and assumption of the duties of Training Officer with the Canadian Officers' Training Corps at UBC. The importance of his military training and experiences. Entry into law school at UBC. Comments on legal training. Memories of UBC law school. Graduation from law school in 1948 and work for a legal firm in Vancouver. Interest in Conservative politics. More interested in federal than provincial politics. Along with other young Tories, advocated the break-up of Coalition in B.C. General comments on the Coalition government and its decline.

T0244:0006: Robert Bonner: Social Credit, the 1952 election and becoming Attorney General. 1950-1952
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner recalls nominating W.A.C. Bennett for provincial leadership of the Conservative Party, 1950. Reasons for supporting W.A.C. Bennett in his challenge to Herbert Anscomb's leadership of the party. Further recollections of W.A.C. Bennett: crossing the floor of the House; joining Social Credit. Recollections of the 1952 election in B.C. and reactions to its outcome. The effect of the single transferable ballot. Meeting with W.A.C. Bennett after he assumed the leadership of the Social Credit Party and being offered the position of Attorney General in his prospective administration. Considerations taken into account when making his decision to accept Bennett's offer. The possibility of Gordon Wismer becoming Attorney General. Reaction to the outcome of the 1952 election in legal circles. TRACK 2: Robert Bonner comments on W.A.C. Bennett's self-confidence. Events surrounding the Social Credit Party being called upon by the Lieutenant Governor to form a government in 1952. W.A.C. Bennett's influence on Bonner's way of approaching problems. Comments on becoming Attorney General. Anecdote about John Diefenbaker's remarks shortly after Bonner became Attorney General. Recollection of his early Socred colleagues. Relations with the civil service. The 1952 election as an experiment in democracy. Comments on Social Credit. Election to the Legislature in the Columbia by-election, 1952. Comments on the by-election campaign. The importance of the by-election to the survival of the government. General comments on the first Social Credit administration.

T0244:0007: Robert Bonner: the 1953 provincial election and early days of Social Credit government in B.C. 1952-1953
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses aspects of the early years of the first Social Credit government in B.C. Relations between the Alberta Social Credit government and Social Credit in B.C. Meeting between members of the Alberta Social Credit government and the new B.C. government in Edmonton, 1952. Political philosophy and political action. Comments on the philosophy of the first Social Credit government. Reflections on B.C. during the 1950s. Reasons for the development of B.C. by the Social Credit government. Comments on planning. Policy development. Recollections of the legislative session of 1953 and the planned self-defeat of the government. Bonner's reply to the Speech from the Throne. The defeat of the government over the Rolston Formula. Recollections of the provincial election of 1953. Bonner's campaign in the multiple-member of Point Grey. TRACK 2: Further comments on the Point Grey constituency and the provincial election campaign of 1953. Comments on campaigning. The role of a parliamentary opposition. Evaluation of Harold Winch as Leader of the Opposition. The defeat of Einar Gunderson in the 1953 election and its effect upon the government. Bonner, Gunderson and W.A.C. Bennett served as a kind of inner-cabinet during the early years of the Social Credit administration. General comments on the members of the first Social Credit government as a group. Personal relationship with the Premier. Comments of the interaction between Bonner and Bennett on decision-making. Example of the genesis of the Two River Policy. Travelling with the Premier. Bonner's avoidance of playing bridge with the Premier. Bonner would refer to W.A.C. Bennett as "Mr. Premier". The Social Credit caucus. The operation of the Social Credit cabinet The lack of a complicated committee system helped the government run smoothly. The operation of Treasury Board and the experience of appearing before it as a Minister.

T0244:0008: Robert Bonner: aspects of the administration of the portfolio of Attorney General. 1952-1968
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses his duties and responsibilities as Attorney General of British Columbia. Anecdote about meeting with a deputy of a new department. Aspects of administration of the various departments within his ministry. Distinction between the formulation and execution of government policy. Relations with his administrative staff. Politics and the public service. The special characteristics of the Attorney General portfolio. Relationship between the Attorney General and his Deputy Minister. Lawyers as poor administrators. Firing of Dave Barrett, a social worker, for conducting political activity while on the public payroll, 1960. The Attorney General as chief law officer. Abolishing patronage after becoming Attorney General. Comments on the labour movement in British Columbia. Differentiation between labour leaders and the labour force. [TRACK 2: blank?]

T0244:0009: Robert Bonner: aspects of government administration and the Doukhobors in B.C. 1952-1968
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses the mechanics of holding more than a single cabinet portfolio at a time. Comments on the Social Credit cabinet. Attitudes towards business and subsequent involvement in the world of business as opposed to pursuit of a legal career. A day in the life of the Attorney General. Comments on the style of government practiced by the Social Credit government. The legislative process. The role of House Leader. Comments on the tone of the legislature during the years he served in government. The role of Legislative Counsel. The relationship between senior civil servants and cabinet ministers and the distinction between policy formulation and execution. Filling the basic task of governmental reform. TRACK 2: Discussion of the government's problems in dealing with the Doukhobor community. The problems were simple and related to obeying the laws of the province. The problem of school truancy among Doukhobor children. Bombings and arson. The claim of religious persecution by Freedomite Doukhobors. Coordination between the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Education on the New Denver school project. The role of magistrate William Evans. The formation of a special police force, the D Squad, to handle Doukhobor problems. Comments on the effect of criticism and press reports on the government's handling of the Doukhobor situation.

T0244:0010: Robert Bonner: the Sommers affair. 1955-1960
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses the background to the Sommers Affair. Personal evaluation of Robert Sommers. Reaction to Gordon Gibson's allegations of irregularities in the issuing of forest management licenses. Appointment of the Lord Commission. Charges by C.W. Eversfield and David Sturdy concerning Robert Sommers. Bonner's investigations to determine whether or not Sommers was guilty of any wrongdoing. Eversfield's subsequent disappearance and Sturdy's previous request for an appointment to the Bench. Reasons for Sommers' civil suit against Sturdy. Sommers' resignation from the cabinet; if Sommers had not resigned, Bonner would have. Comments on the Butler Report. Bonner never saw the Butler Report as recalls that it was not conclusive in its findings. Bonner's advice to Sommers and his attorney about the purpose of criminal prosecutions. Comments on police reports. The issue of delays during the course of the Sommers case. Comments on the prosecution of Robert Sommers. The 1956 provincial election and discussion of the charges against Sommers. TRACK 2: Robert Sommers' re-election in the 1956 provincial election. The issue of proceeding with the civil suit against Sturdy or, alternately, pursuing a criminal prosecution. Sommers' self-exile in Seattle and being visited by Waldo Skillings. Sommers later meets with Skillings in Victoria and attempts to secure an agreement whereby he would be charged alone. Reasons why Sommers was not charged alone. Sommers received permission to be absent from the pre-trial hearing to take his seat in the House for the legislative session of 1958; this permission was appealed. Dissatisfaction among backbench government members with the handling of the Sommers case. Reaction to the outcome of the case. Bonner was surprised at convictions. The issue of appealing the court sentence for a harsher verdict. The question of bribery with no visible benefits of preferential treatment. Final comments and reflections on the Sommers Affair.

T0244:0011: Robert Bonner: background to the Columbia River Treaty. 1956-1964
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses government interventionism. The genesis of the B.C. Ferry system. The takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. The Social Credit government's policy of no concessions to prospective business ventures in British Columbia. The background to the Columbia River Treaty. The American demand for electrical power. The B.C. government's attitude toward the development of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River. Criticism of the Treaty. Discussion of his role in the Treaty. Coining the term "Two River Policy". Reasons for the Canadian bias against exporting power to the; United States. Features of the original treaty and the issue of power being returned to Canada. The relationship between the plans to develop the Peace River and the Columbia negotiations. Modifications and protocol to the treaty, 1964, and the issue of downstream benefits. Points of contention with the federal government. Comments on the Diefenbaker government's stance on the Columbia agreement. TRACK 2: Bonner discusses the reasons why British Columbia was able to force both the Canadian and American governments to accept its position on the Columbia River Treaty. The contribution of technical personnel. Comments on committees and the decision-making machinery that contributed to the Columbia agreement. Comments on the relationship between the provincial and federal governments in Canada during the negotiations over the Columbia. Anti-Americanism in the Diefenbaker administration. Reasons why B.C. did not proceed unilaterally on the Columbia agreement. General McNaughton and his plan for the development of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River watershed. Comments on the Kaiser Dam proposal. The appeal and problems of private development of this proposal. Objection to the federal government's Water Rights Bill. The genesis of the Wenner-Gren plan to develop the Peace River. Reasons for the failure of the Wenner-Gren proposal and its effects on later developments.

T0244:0012 Robert Bonner : the development of hydro-electric power in British Columbia 1960-[?]
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses aspects of the Two River Policy. Reasons for the development of the Peace and Columbia Rivers simultaneously. Advantages in developing the hydro-electric power potential of the rivers publicly, rather than by privately-owned means. The Briggs affair. Reflections on the 1960 provincial election. The issue of the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. Background to the government's decision to take over the company. The special session of 1961 which was called to pass the legislation nationalizing the B.C. Electric Company. Drafting the legislation for the special session. Reaction to the takeover. Criticism of the government action in the business community. Difference between the boardroom reaction and the public response to the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. TRACK 2: Robert Bonner discusses the maintenance of party discipline during the course of the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. The formation of B.C. Hydro and Power Authority, 1962. The role and purpose of a public authority, or Crown Corporation. Aspects of financing B.C. Hydro. The question of pension fund socialism. The return of a Liberal administration in Ottawa in 1963 and its effect on the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. Davie Fulton and the 1963 provincial election. Comments on the 1963 election. Evaluation of the roles played by Bonner, Williston and the Premier in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. Final comments on the Columbia River Treaty and responses to criticisms of it. The future of the Treaty.

T0244:0013 Robert Bonner : federal-provincial relations. 1952-1968
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses federal-provincial relations during the years he served in government. Competitive versus cooperative federalism. Problems related to the port of Vancouver. Comments on federal-provincial conferences. B.C. delegations to federal-provincial conferences were invariably smaller than other provinces. The genesis of the Roberts Bank superport. The development of Roberts Bank. The issues of equalization payments. The B.C. government's objections to federally-administered equalization payments. The question of a guaranteed annual income. The issue of B.C. separatism. Arguments in favour of B.C. remaining a partner in Canadian Confederation. TRACK 2: The genesis of the B.C. government's proposal for a Bank of British Columbia. Recollection of the Senate Bank Committee hearings which reviewed the B.C. government's bank proposal, 1964. Objections to the B.C. government proposal. The process of constitutional review and the search for an amending formula for the Canadian Constitution. Constitutional reform was not a high priority for the B.C. government. The issues of bilingualism and biculturalism. Incident when W.A.C. Bennett brought Mayor Peter Wing to a federal-provincial conference. Reasons why British Columbians were reluctant to admit voting for Social Credit. Involvement in party politics. The mechanics of running an election campaign. Annual Social Credit conventions. T0244:0014 Robert Bonner : aspects of Social Credit politics in British Columbia 1952-1968 TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses the funding of election campaigns. Comments on Social Credit national politics in Canada. Description of the 1957 federal election campaign which Bonner helped organize for the Social Credit Party. Relations between the British Columbia and Alberta wings of the Social Credit Party. British Columbia's support of Real Caouette. Comments on the possibility of W.A.C. Bennett running federally. Reasons for the failure of the Social Credit Party on a federal level in Canada. The role of an MLA. Problems in being a Vancouver-area MLA. Rural versus urban conflicts in British Columbia politics. Comments on multiple-member ridings. [TRACK 2: blank?]

T0244:0015: Robert Bonner: reflections on politics, British Columbia and resigning from public life. 1952-1969
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses the effect of politics on his private life. Reasons why legislative reform was not a high priority during the years he served in government. Attitude toward legislative debate.. Orders-in-council and the provincial government. Government by regulation. Anecdote about Motor Vehicle Branch regulations. Comments about the changes which took place in British Columbia during the years he served in government. The lack of secondary industry in British Columbia. The comparative advantages of British Columbia's economy. General comments on the financial policies of the first Social Credit government. The distinction between financing government operations and those of crown corporations. Direct versus contingent liabilities. TRACK 2: Comments on the investment of pension funds in Hydro bonds and other provincial government accounts. W.A.C. Bennett as Minister of Finance. Parity bonds. Reduction and elimination of the public debt of the province. The Kelowna bond-fire, 1959. Comments on public relations and government. Public relations men who worked for the government. Relationship between the press and government. Reasons why Bonner was considered to be the heir-apparent to the leadership of W.A.C. Bennett's character: "the Anthony Eden complex". The 1966 provincial election. Bonner's defeat in Point Grey. Re-election in Cariboo by-election. The formation of the NDP. Comments on electioneering. Reflection on his resignation from the cabinet, 1968, and retirement from politics, 1969.

T0244:0016: Robert Bonner: 1972 election and a recollection of W.A.C. Bennett. 1969-1975
TRACK 1: Robert Bonner discusses the reasons why he resigned from politics. Reaction to general criticisms which were levelled at the first Social Credit government in British Columbia. Comments on the polarization of British Columbia politics. The representative nature of the parliamentary system. Serving as MLA for Cariboo and vice president with MacMillan Bloedel simultaneously. Comments on events leading up to the defeat of the Social Credit government, 1972. Reasons for the defeat of the government. General comments on the leadership abilities of W.A.C. Bennett. W.A.C. Bennett as an original thinker. [TRACK 2: blank?]

Leslie Peterson interview

CALL NUMBER: T3330:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Background, education and military service of Les Peterson PERIOD COVERED: 1923-1946 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-09-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses his personal and family background: growing up in rural Alberta; religious influences and early political interests. Recollections of political figures prominent in Alberta in the 1930s. Peterson's education: Alice Hill School, Viking, Alberta -- the proverbial single-room schoolhouse; high school in Viking; Camrose Lutheran College, Camrose Alberta. Extracurricular activities and first working experience. TRACK 2: Leslie Peterson recounts his experience working for the CN Express in Edmonton as a young man. Working for the railroad in Terrace, B.C., and enlisting in the army at Prince Rupert. Recollections of service in the army: training and service in the Coast Artillery at Prince Rupert; attendance at McGill University in the Army Service course and memories of Montreal and friendships made there; service overseas in England and travels on the continent. Peterson was in Europe on Armistice Day. Before returning to Canada in 1946 he attended the University of London for a year. Return to Canada, discharge from army and decision to enroll in law school at the University of British Columbia. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Legal and political training PERIOD COVERED: 1946-1956 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-09-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses his first impressions of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. Comments on the experience of a war veteran attending university after World War Two. Recollections of three years at U.B.C. law school. Peterson was called to the bar in 1949 and begun his own practice in Vancouver. Discussion of the nature of his law practice. Marriage to Agnes Rose Hine in 1950 and comments on Peterson's family. Comments on politics in B.C. during the Coalition era. TRACK 2: Peterson explains how he became interested in and involved with the Social Credit movement. Reaction to the 1952 provincial election. During the 1953 provincial election, Peterson served as campaign manager for North Vancouver Socred candidate George Tomlinson. Peterson was the unsuccessful; Social Credit candidate in the 1953 federal election in the Vancouver-Centre constituency. Impressions and recollections of W.A.C. Bennett. Peterson became involved in politics more by accident than by design. Discussion of how he came to be elected in the 1956 by-election in Vancouver-Centre. First impressions as a Social Credit MLA. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): From MLA to Minister of Education PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-10-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses his first impressions as an MLA and his recollections of the Social Credit caucus. Comments on the leadership style of W.A.C. Bennett. The problems of representing an urban constituency in B.C. and Peterson's theory of democratic representation. Comments on the 1956 provincial election campaign. The problems of co-ordinating an election campaign in a dual-member constituency. The efficacy of the Socred campaign slogan: "Progress not Politics". Free enterprise versus socialism as a recurring fundamental issue in B.C. elections. TRACK 2: Leslie Peterson remarks upon the possibility of supporting the Conservatives or Liberals as free enterprise alternatives. The polarization of politics in B.C. The results of the 1956 provincial election and Peterson's success in Vancouver-Centre. Reaction to appointment as Minister of Education, 1956. Description of duties and functions of Minister of Education. Peterson served as Minister of Education during a period of great growth. Comments on the administration of the Education portfolio, 1956-68. The Department of Education was administered by a small group of able men in a very personal style. The problem of delegation of authority. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Aspects of the administration of the Department of Education, 1956-68 PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-10-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses further aspects of the administration of the Education portfolio. The relationship between the formulation and execution of government policy in the Department of Education. The problem of teacher shortages in British Columbia in the '50s and '60s. Relations with the B.C. Teachers Federation. Discussion of the increasing cost of education in British Columbia, 195;6-68. The financial policies of the Social Credit government and the goal of debt reduction. Financing of school construction under the Social Credit government. Comments on the issues of centralization and decentralization of British Columbia's educational system. TRACK 2: Further comments on the policy of debt-reduction. Recollections of coming before the Treasury Board as Minister of Education. The process of producing a departmental budget. Peterson describes the experience of coming before Treasury Board as a fairly informal affair. Discussion of the operation of cabinet under the leadership of W.A.C. Bennett. The Premier was intolerant on questions of morality, otherwise he was quite flexible on matters of policy. Attitude toward cabinet committees. Important consultation on policy matters often took place outside of cabinet. The Social Credit government was operated by a relatively small group of elected and non-elected officials. Changing impressions of W.A.C. Bennett. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Further aspects of education in British Columbia PERIOD COVERED: 1958-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-11-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses the Chant Report of 1958 which called for less frills in education. The Doukhobor problem in British Columbia and the Department of Education. Discussion of trip to Europe in 1959 to examine various European school systems. Medical problems during Peterson's career. Assumption of the responsibilities for the education of the mentally retarded in British Columbia, 1960. The issue of federal assistance for education in British Columbia. Education and federal-provincial relations. Problems serving in a dual cabinet portfolio, Education and Labour. TRACK 2: Coordination of Labour and Education departments. Political oratory and attitudes towards parliamentary institutions. Relations with the University of British Columbia and explanation of the system of grants to universities. Comments on charges of anti-intellectualism which were levelled against the Social Credit government. The Macdonald plan for the growth of higher education in B.C. and the subsequent development of universities and regional colleges in the province. The building of Simon Fraser University. The role of W.A.C. Bennett in the expansion of educational opportunities in B.C. All-night sittings and the issue of "legislation by exhaustion". CALL NUMBER: T3330:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Aspects of government in B.C. and appointment as Minister of Labour, 1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1960-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-11-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses the issue of all-night sittings in the B.C. legislature. The absence of question period and Hansard in the House during the years of the first Social Credit government. Recollections of the Sommers affair and its effect on the government. The timing of the 1960 provincial election. Recollections of the 1960 election campaign. The take-over of B.C. Electric Co. and reaction in government circles. TRACK 2: The background to Peterson's appointment as Minister of Labour, 1960. Reasons for serving in a dual portfolio. Administration of the Department of Labour. Duties and functions of the Minister of Labour. Comments on the distinctiveness of the labour movement in B.C. Views on labour-management relations. The effect of being branded an "anti-labour government". The relationship between organized labour and the NDP in B.C. and its effects on Peterson as Minister of Labour. The role and function of labour unions. Speculation as to why British Columbians have been reluctant to admit voting for Social Credit. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Labour law disputes and labour relations in B.C., 1960-1971 PERIOD COVERED: 1960-1971 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-11-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses the effects of labour legislation which he passed through the B.C. Legislature as Minister of Labour. Bill 42, 1961, and the relationship between organized labour and the NDP. The issue of union payroll deductions being used for political purposes. The Mediation Commission Act, 1968 (Bill 33) and the issue of compulsory arbitration. Use of the power of binding arbitration. Relationship with leaders of organized labour in British Columbia. Comments on the growth and development of the labour movement in B.C. during the years Peterson served as Minister of Labour. Premier W.A.C. Bennett's role in labour matters. TRACK 2: The Premier's attitude towards labour-management relations may have been harsher and more direct than Peterson's. The importance of timing in government interventions in labour-management relations. The occasion when Peterson and Bennett visited the home of J.V. Clyne in an effort to assist in the settling of a labour dispute which was crippling the coast forest industry. The 1971 BCFL-sponsored demonstration at the opening of the legislative session. The amount of labour legislation increased significantly in B.C. during Peterson's tenure as Minister of Labour. Peterson's legacy to labour-management relations in B.C. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Conventions, elections and Social Credit policies PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-11-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses his role and involvement within the Social Credit party. The relationship between the party executive and the government. Comments on the differences between using the phrases "movement", "league" or "party" in describing Social Credit in B.C. The roles of the Women's Auxiliary and the Young Socreds. The relationship between the B.C. and Alberta Social Credit parties. The relationship between the B.C. Social Credit Party and the national party. The 1962 national Social Credit leadership convention at which Robert Thompson was made leader. Reasons for supporting Real Caouette over Robert Thompson. TRACK 2: W.A.C. Bennett and national Social Credit politics. The question of possible irregularities at the 1962 national Socred convention. Reasons for the lack of success of the national Social Credit Party in Canada. Recollections of the 1963 election campaign. Evaluation of the challenge by the Conservatives under the leadership of Davie Fulton. Reasons for the failure of third party challenges in British Columbia. The 1966 provincial election and Peterson's switch to the riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain. Comments on dual-member riding. Election funding and the B.C. Free Enterprise Educational Fund. Peterson's interest and involvement in promoting the Bank of British Columbia. Relations with Vancouver municipal politicians. CALL NUMBER: T3330:0009 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life as Attorney-General and the defeat of the Socreds, 1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1968-1975 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-11-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Leslie Peterson discusses the effect of the resignation of Robert Bonner in 1968. The following cabinet shuffle and Peterson's assumption of the portfolio of Attorney-General. The duties and functions of the Attorney-General. Administration of the department of the Attorney-General. Relationship with Deputy Attorney-General. Federal-provincial relations, the process of constitutional review and the failure of the Victoria Charter, 1971. The development and advocacy of the five-regions idea. The 1969 constitutional conference in Ottawa. The 1969 provincial election. Evaluation of the leadership of the NDP under Strachan and Berger. The liquor ad ban, 1971, and its effect on the demise of the government. Moral issues in politics. TRACK 2: Peterson's defence of W.A.C. Bennett after he was referred to as a bigot by Prime Minister Trudeau. Contributing factors to the defeat of the Social Credit government in 1972. Anecdote about meeting the Premier at the PNE during the election campaign and warning him that things were not going well. The effect of losing in his own riding, Vancouver-Little Mountain. Comments on the question of succeeding W.A.C. Bennett as leader of the Soci;al Credit Party. Comments on Bill Bennett and his entry into B.C. politics. The threat of the Majority Movement to the revival of the Social Credit Party in B.C.. (End of interview)

Attorney General Coroners’ inquiries

  • GR-1504
  • Series
  • 1938-1970, 1972

This series consists of 1938-1970 and 1972 British Columbia coroners' inquiries filed within Attorney General correspondence under AG file code C-81-4. Inquiries are investigations conducted by a single coroner and usually consist of a single form. Not all coroners’ records between 1859 and 1970 have survived or are in the legal custody of the BC Archives. In this series, Vancouver inquiries do not begin until 1966.

Records are arranged alphabetically by community, repeated across several date ranges. Researchers should carefully crosscheck communities against dates when seeking specific records. On reels B04985 to B04987, record pages are consecutively numbered. On reels B04988 to B05026, record pages are consecutively numbered within a community. On reels B05027 to B05084, pages are consecutively numbered within a record.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Attorney-General correspondence

  • GR-1726
  • Series
  • 1926-1970, predominant 1956-1965

The series consists of inward and outward Attorney-General’s Department correspondence created between 1926 and 1970, but predominantly between 1956-1965. Records relate to a variety of matters for which the Attorney-General was responsible, including some ca.1955-1965 Coroners' reports.

Records are arranged by act and then by file code as assigned by the Attorney-General. File codes represent an act and specific subject matters under the act. Within the files, records are arranged chronologically. Original textual records were destroyed after microfilming. The records were scheduled for full retention.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Attorney-General correspondence

  • GR-1725
  • Series
  • 1912-[ca. 1969]; predominant 1959-1965

The series consists of inward and outward Attorney-General’s Department correspondence created between 1912 and ca. 1969, but predominantly between 1959-1965. Records relate to a variety of matters for which the Attorney-General was responsible.

Records are arranged by act and then by file code as assigned by the Attorney-General. File codes represent an act and specific subject matters under the act. Within the files, records are arranged chronologically. Original textual records were destroyed after microfilming. The records were scheduled for full retention.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Supreme Court calendars

  • GR-0703
  • Series
  • 1917-1933; 1964-1969

This series consists of Supreme Court calendars, 1917-1933 (v.1), 1964-1966 (v.2), 1967-1969 (v.3).

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Speedy trials and returns

  • GR-0705
  • Series
  • 1934; 1955-1956; 1964-1968

This series consists of County Court Criminal Court records regarding speedy trials and returns. Volume 1 covers 1934; volume 2, 1955; volume 3, 1956-1957; and volume 4, 1964-1968.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Attorney General document series

  • GR-0419
  • Series
  • 1857-1966

The Attorney-General Document series consists mainly of transcripts of depositions and preliminary hearings and trials, forwarded to the Attorney-General and numbered consecutively by year they were filed. Registers and indexes (volumes 879 to 885) are available on microfilm reel B00395.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Vancouver Coroners’ inquiries

  • GR-1503
  • Series
  • 1938-1965

Series consists of Coroners' inquiries conducted in Vancouver for 1938-1965. The series continues on from GR-1323 (Attorney General correspondence, AG file codes C-49-1 and C-159). Records may also include some Vancouver inquisitions/inquests.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Policing subject and personnel files

  • GR-0750
  • Series
  • 1942-1965

This series consists of a variety of administrative files related to the British Columbia Provincial Police Force. This includes Attorney General files P-291-2 and P-291-7, Policing of British Columbia, consisting of files on the take over of the B.C. Provincial Police by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and of various personnel files, 1942-1965.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Bench books

  • GR-1607
  • Series
  • 1907-1964

This series contains bench books from various judges/justices, geographic locations and levels of court in British Columbia.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Assize calendar

  • GR-0704
  • Series
  • 1956-1964

This series consists of Vancouver Assize calendar, 1956-1964.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Attorney-General correspondence

  • GR-1724
  • Series
  • 1937-[ca. 1963]; predominant 1952-1959

The series consists of inward and outward Attorney-General’s Department correspondence created between 1937 and ca. 1963, but predominantly between 1952-1959. Records relate to a variety of matters for which the Attorney-General was responsible.

Records are arranged by act and then by file code as assigned by the Attorney-General. File codes represent an act and specific subject matters under the act. Within the files, records are arranged chronologically. Original textual records were destroyed after microfilming. The records were scheduled for full retention.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Memorandum of Agreement re: Old Cariboo Road

The file consists of a signed agreement from 1928 between the Province represented by the Minister of Public Works and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR). The agreement sets out compensation to be paid by the CPR for each level crossing on the Old Cariboo Road between Haig and Spences Bridge that would be eliminated by the construction of the new provincial highway.

The agreement is accompanied by a photocopied letter from 1963 from the Office of the Attorney-General to the Chief Engineer of the Dept. of Highways instructing them to keep the agreement in their active files.

British Columbia. Dept. of Public Works

Attorney-General correspondence

  • GR-1723
  • Series
  • 1938-[1961]

The series consists of inward and outward Attorney-General’s Department correspondence created between 1938 and ca. 1961. Records relate to a variety of matters for which the Attorney-General was responsible.

Records are arranged by act and then by file code as assigned by the Attorney-General. File codes represent an act and specific subject matters under the act. Within the files, records are arranged chronologically. Original textual records were destroyed after microfilming. The records were scheduled for full retention.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Crease family collection

Henry Pering Pellew Crease (1823-1905) was born at Ince Castle, near Plymouth, England, educated at Cambridge, and called to the bar in 1849. He traveled to Upper Canada with his family and explored the Great Lakes area for mining potential before returning to England in 1851 or 2. He then worked briefly as a conveyancing barrister before becoming manager of the Great Wheal Vor United Mines in Cornwall. Following business difficulties, he emigrated to British Columbia in 1858, practicing law in Victoria and becoming a member of the Vancouver Island Legislative Assembly in 1860. In 1861 he was appointed Attorney General of the mainland colony and moved to New Westminster; he was appointed Attorney General of the united colonies in 1866 and returned to Victoria in 1868 when it became the capital of the colony of British Columbia. In 1870, he was made a supreme court judge. Crease was knighted in 1896. British Columbia. His family joined Crease in Victoria in 1860 and four more children, one of whom died in infancy, were born in British Columbia. Crease was interested in business and politics as well as the law. Both as a barrister and a supreme court judge he traveled throughout British Columbia on circuit. His wife accompanied him on some of these journeys. The Creases were prominent socially, and their house, Pentrelew, was a centre for Victoria society. Five of the Crease children lived into the 20th century, and three, Lindley (1867-1940), Susan (1855-1947) and Josephine (1864-1947), never married and lived at Pentrelew until their deaths. Susan was involved with the local Council of Women and Josephine with the Island Arts and Crafts Society. Both painted in watercolours, as did their mother. The two Crease sons, Lindley and Arthur, were sent to school in England and then practiced law in Victoria. Arthur served in France in the Canadian Army in the First World War.

The collection includes diaries, 1834-1900, correspondence inward, 1830-1904, and outward, 1830-1903, miscellaneous records and notebooks, including the minute books of the Colonial Securities Co., 1866-1868, of Sir Henry Crease; diaries, 1872-1913, correspondence inward, 1851-1922, and outward, and miscellaneous notebooks and records of Lady Crease; diaries, 1877-1937, correspondence inward, 1877-1940, and outward, 1893, and miscellaneous records of Lindley Crease; diaries, 1890-1960, account books, 1909-1954 and miscellaneous records of Arthur Crease; diaries, 1865-1943, correspondence inward, 1862-1891, 1902, and 1937, and miscellaneous records of Susan Crease; diaries, 1878-1942, correspondence inward, 1883-1890 and miscellaneous records of Josephine Crease; some correspondence inward of the other two Crease daughters, Mary Maberly (Walker) Crease and Barbara Crease; diaries, 1853, 1870, and 1898, and correspondence inward, 1847-1899, of Emily Howard Crease, Sir Henry Crease's sister, who taught school in British Columbia, and correspondence between members of the Crease and Lindley families in England and the Crease family in Victoria.

MS-2879 is an extensive collection of family papers which, in addition to the information it provides on the lives, activities and opinions of individual writers of letters and diaries, is a rich source of information on such topics as family life, childhood and the lives of women, and a major source on the economic, political, legal and social history of post-1858 l9th century British Columbia. The correspondence inward series to Sir Henry Crease includes letters from important figures in colonial and post colonial British Columbia. The collection contains some records relating to Sir Henry Crease's legal and business interests. It includes transcripts of Crease's private letter book, 1870-1873, Sarah Crease's diary of her trip to Cariboo, 1880, and her letters to her husband, 1849-1859. MS-2879 may be used in conjunction with MS-0054, MS-0055, MS-0056, and MS-0573.

Attorney-General indexes to correspondence

  • GR-1722
  • Series
  • 1924-1957

The series consists of two index volumes created by the Dept. of the Attorney-General between 1924 and 1957. Volume 1 indexes letters outward from 1925 to 1957 and volume 2 indexes letters inward from 1924 to 1957. The volumes are arranged in the following sorts: Departments, Alphabetical sections, Vancouver Courts, Victoria Courts and Land Registry Offices. Within each group, the arrangement is by date.

There are five fields for each entry: Letters outward: date, number, name , purport and file number. Letters inward: date received, date of letter, number, name and purport.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Reports submitted by provincial coroners

  • GR-0627
  • Series
  • 1954

This series consists of reports of inquests, juries of inquiry submitted by provincial coroners as required by the Coroners Act, 1954.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Registrar's records

  • GR-0847
  • Series
  • 1948-1951

This series consists of the Registrar's monthly returns of criminal appeals, including appeals from summary convictions, 1948-1951.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Nelson County Court civil case files

  • GR-2230
  • Series
  • 1909-1950

Series consists of civil case files from the Nelson County Court for 1909, 1913, 1917, 1919, 1922 and 1936-1950.

British Columbia. County Court (Nelson)

Selected Attorney-General correspondence inward

  • GR-0429
  • Series
  • 1872-1950, predominant 1872-1937

This series contains selected inward Department of the Attorney-General correspondence from 1872 to 1950, although most of the items date from 1872 to 1937. Records cover all aspects of work conducted by the Attorney General and discuss a wide variety of subject matter.

The department used several numbering and filling systems during this time period. From 1872 to 1911 letters were assigned a number as they were received, and then filed in numerical order by year. From 1911 to 1917 a subject file drawer system was used, and thereafter correspondence was coded and filed according to the Act which applied to the issue under discussion in the correspondence.

See the file list for descriptions of files or individual folios within the files.

The series is arranged into the following subseries:

-- Correspondence inward, 1872-1911
-- Reports on coal miners’ strike, 1912-1913
-- Memos and correspondence, 1899, 1912-1933, 1950
-- Correspondence regarding unemployment administration and communist activity (Attorney General Department file number L-125), 1930-1937

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

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