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The series consists of records created by the Deputy Provincial Secretary between 1914 and 1933 pertaining to the administration of funds for the "aid of the destitute, poor, and sick."

Between 1872 and 1942, an annual vote of funds was included in the estimates of the B.C. legislature. The fund, which was administered by the Office of the Provincial Secretary, originally contained $500. By 1935, this figure had risen to $110,000; but in the fund's final year of existence, 1943, the vote of funds had declined to $40,000.

The Indigent Fund, unlike the Mother's Pension, the Old Age Pension (1927), or the Veterans Assistance plans was not tied to an Act of Parliament, and thus relief was provided to people under a wide range of circumstances, and included many who failed to qualify for assistance under specific federal or provincial schemes. The fund was designed to meet the immediate and shortterm needs of rural B.C. residents (municipalities had their own funds) who through misfortune or bad planning had found themselves without "the necessities of life." The key to the fund, until the early 1930s, when the position of Superintendent of Welfare was created, was the Deputy Provincial Secretary, for it was often at his discretion that assistance was provided. He was aided in his duties by the various Government Agents, who were responsible for handling vouchers, disbursing cheques, and reporting to Victoria any new developments in individual cases. They, in turn, were assisted by Provincial Police constables who usually investigated each case and submitted a report.

The records consist of correspondence inward and outward from the Deputy Provincial Secretary's office; correspondence from Government Agents to the Deputy Provincial Secretary; Provincial Police reports on the condition of Indigents; correspondence from indigents or persons representing them to the Premier, Ministers, and the Deputy Provincial Secretary; and miscellaneous correspondence to and from various government departments and agencies such as Workman's Compensation Board, Department of Immigration, public hospitals, police departments etc.

The files are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the indigent. They are not, however, arranged alphabetically within each folder. There are two alphabetical series, as well as two sets of files titled "miscellaneous". All files have been preserved in their original order.

Volume II, July 1899 - Feb 1900 (vol. I not extant), of a Diary Journal kept by the Provincial Secretary, Charles Augustus Semlin, noting appointments and letters inward relating to many aspects of the office.

This series consists of newspaper clippings concerning public health and the campaign to establish an institution for the treatment of tuberculosis. Includes one photograph, "Lepers at D'arcy Island".

The series contains records pertaining to the care of indigents and destitute persons created by the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary between 1911 and 1925.

Files consist of applications for relief, supporting documents from police constables and government agents, case files, administrative reports, and general correspondence. Reports on unemployment in specific communities in British Columbia, ca. 1911-1918 are also included.

Records created prior to 1923 were filed numerically and constituted a separate records series within the Provincial Secretary's office. Records created after 1923 were kept alphabetically, by name of applicant. Regrettably, contemporary registers and indices for these records have not survived.

Although it was "the duty of every city and district municipality to make suitable provision for its poor" [Municipal Act, RSBC 1911, c.170 s.526], the Department of the Provincial Secretary was largely responsible for the care of indigents and other destitute people in British Columbia. In fact, prior to the creation of the Department of Health and Welfare in 1946, the Provincial Secretary's office was often the only source of support for deserted wives and children, indigent widows and elderly persons, disabled workers and others in need of public welfare.

The Provincial Secretary administered funds to such groups through charitable accounts, the Workmen's Compensation Board, the Provincial Board of Health, and other agencies. At the local level, relief payments were often distributed by Provincial Police constables or Government Agents.

This series includes records of the Provincial Home, Kamloops, also known as the "Old Men's Home" from 1920-1975. Records include correspondence with the accounting division, Canada Dept. of Health and Welfare, and patient case files (1930-1950).

The file contains correspondence of William Arthur Laming of Victoria. with the City of Victoria Relief Department and with the Friendly Help Welfare Association (later the Family Welfare Association of Greater Victoria).

This series consists of a manual containing memoranda, correspondence and forms pertaining to the administration of policy by officials in the Provincial Secretary's Department, 1940-1950.

The file consists of a letter to J.E. Vaz of the Jewish Federation in Montreal, written by J. Howard T. Falk, Executive Director of the Vancouver Council of Social Agencies, dated August 1, 1932. The letter includes an 8 page report of the committee on homeless men dated July 1932. The report, which includes a survey of Vancouver agencies providing assistance to homeless men, also makes recommendations in the area of local and national policy. This report was one of many copies sent to cities and agencies across Canada to encourage support for the recommendations contained within and to ask that these agencies take their suggestions directly to the Prime Minister of Canada.

This series consists of records of the Royal Commission on Municipal Taxation, 1933-1934. The commissioners, judge of the County Court of Vancouver, Andrew M. Harper (chairman) and Alexander McDonald Paterson, Reeve of Delta Municipality, were appointed on 22 May 1933. They were charged with investigating all matters relating to municipal taxation in British Columbia as well as the financial relationship between the Government of British Columbia and the municipalities. Commission records consist of Provincial Secretary correspondence file Pi 13/33 which includes a copy of the letters patent appointing the commissioners, transcripts of evidence presented at proceedings and the commissioners' original, signed report. In their report, the commissioners addressed responsibility for social services including mothers' pensions, administration of justice, schools and education, mental hospitals, unemployment relief, etc.

One correspondence file of the Superintendent of Welfare and one case file of an individual who applied for assistance. The files contain memoranda and correspondence of the Superintendent and one welfare visitor with the Unemployment Relief Branch of the Dept. of Labour, the Supervisor of the Destitute, Poor and Sick Fund, the Canadian Legion, and various government agents.

Incomplete memorandum on the Department's Social Assistance Branch, prepared by E.W. Griffith, Assistant Deputy Provincial Secretary.

The series consists of a random sample of social assistance application case files from various provincial field offices. Each file title provides the name of the field office followed by the name of the client. A file code provides lists the type of service.

File codes used include: AFH - Application to be a foster home AHP - Application for adoption of a child CIC - Child in Care CHIR - [social assistance for training at a vocational school] FS - Family Services OAA - Old Age Assistance OASB - [Old Age Assistance Board] PAH - Pending Adoption PFH - Pending Foster Home SA - Social Assistance SAS - Social Assistance for a single person SA1P - Social Assistance for a single parent SA2P - Social Assistance for two parents SAC - [Social Assistance Child] UPA - Adoption Planning WI - Welfare Institution licensing

The series consists of the office files of Alex Porteous, the administrative assistant to the Minister of Health (later the Associate Deputy Minister of Mental Health Programs) created between 1948 and 1966. His job description included public relations for the Ministry and the files relate mostly to public relations work for the B.C. Hospital Insurance Service, but also to the Mental Health Services and the Social Welfare Branch.

The files contain speeches of senior ministry officials, press releases, internal publications of several of the branches and divisions and general subject files of research material.

SUMMARY: Radio program with talk by Gordon S. Wismer, Attorney-General and Minister of Labour for British Columbia, about: British Columbia Legislative Assembly, the Coalition government and its legislative program; labour policy, justice, law, place of women, social security, pensions, housing, real estate agents, consumer protection.

SUMMARY: Talk by Tilly Rolston, Member of Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Point Grey, about: British Columbia election June 15, 1949; socialism, British experience; Coalition Government, accomplishments; social security, hospitalization plan; finance, public debt, British Columbia.

SUMMARY: Radio program with Ross McLean, announcer, including comments by Marion Griggsby (?), Chairman of Central Christmas Cheer Committee of Vancouver about: social security, Vancouver Christmas Exchange.;

SUMMARY: Talk by William T. Straith, Minister of Education and Provincial Secretary of British Columbia, about: social security, housing for the elderly, and mental health care.;

The series consists of records of the Vancouver Resources Board include some records of the Children's Aid Society of Vancouver, the Vancouver City Welfare and Rehabilitation department and a very small number of files from the Hastings Sunrise Community Resource Board and the Grandview Woodland Community Resource Board.

This series consists of files of the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare. Most files are arranged alphabetically by title.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Bonner : a Social Credit cabinet minister, 1952-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1950-1966 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966 SUMMARY: Bonner made only cursory study of Social Credit doctrine. Disenchanted with "old-line" parties. Supported W.A.C. Bennett for the leadership of the Conservative party, 1950. Bonner almost inactive during 1952 election. Always opposed the C.C.F. Unique aspects of the Social Credit Party in B.C. The role of "imagination" in government. The Bank of British Columbia. The need for government information services. Role of the Social Credit League. Relations between federal and provincial Social Credit parties. B.C. government not "orthodox" Social Credit. Press relations. Inappropriateness of detailed economic planning in B.C. welfare programs.

The item is a film reel of television commercials. Three 60-second spots on drug abuse, featuring: (1) inmate James Ferlig; (2) radio announcer Fred Latremouille; and (3) young boy and girl walking, with announcer voice-over.

The series consists of the Ministry of Human Resources executive director records created between 1971-1980 in British Columbia. The records relate primarily to child welfare and other related responsibilities within the Family and Children’s Services Division of the ministry. Some of the records were created and received by the ministry’s predecessor, the Department of Human Resources. The records document family support services, child welfare services, and the operation of three institutions that care for individuals with disabilities: Woodlands, Tranquille, and Glendale. The ministry’s service delivery model was organized on a regional basis, defined by geographic area. Records document the regional delivery of programs related to adoptions, foster homes, family support homemakers, and rehabilitation services for children. Records from other divisions in the ministry relate to income assistance, health care, rehabilitation and support services, and seniors’ services. Governing legislation includes the Adoption Act (RSBC 1986, c. 5), Protection of Children Act (RSBC 1967. c. 38) and the Social Assistance Act (RSBC 1973, c. 81), among others. Some of the records document the transfer of all property, functions, and employees of the Vancouver Resources Board (VRB) to the provincial government.

The series is arranged alphabetically by topic and some of the series is arranged by the executive director's initials: R.K. Butler; T.D. Bingham; R.J. Burnham; and S.G. Travers. Some of the records also contain an additional file code. The records consist of correspondence, reports, meeting materials, and program and policy documents. These records are covered under the Executive Records Schedule (102906).

The item consists of three reels of film elements that contain television commercials from 1971. Visuals comprise still photographs of drug pushers making their sales pitches. The voice-over tells us, "It's money that pushers are after -- not friends."

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Amy Leigh : a pioneer social worker in B.C. interested in public welfare PERIOD COVERED: 1913-1963 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-03-30 SUMMARY: Amy Leigh was born in 1897 and discusses her immigration to Canada from England in 1913; Girl Guides; childhood; recollections; early jobs as a secretary; probation work; training at the University of Toronto School of Social Work; various social work jobs. TRACK 2: Jobs: Director of Welfare, Vancouver. Discussion of the Depression and radicalism. Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Director of Welfare, Vancouver, 1937-1943: decentralization; South Vancouver Experiment; Japanese evacuation. Assistant Director of Welfare for the province. Comments on social work. Retirement in 1958. Other jobs: teaching public welfare, University of Washington; Welfare Department in the Yukon; CNIB, Winnipeg and Ottawa, 1960s. General comments on public welfare: role of government; limits of financial aid.

The item is a photocopy of an essay by Diane Louise Matters titled "The development of public welfare institutions in Vancouver, 1910-1920. " 1973. ii, 95 leaves. Honours essay (B.A.) - University of Victoria, 1973. Bibliography: leaves 92-95.

CALL NUMBER: T0211:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Martha Moscrop : a social worker cannot be a Socialist RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-04-11 SUMMARY: Martha Moscrop was born in 1907 and was an adopted child. She attended Normal School and discusses sports; girls groups leading into social work; early Kitsilano; Joe -- English Bay lifeguard; WWI; chores; a tomboy; outdoor summers make child self-assured; never felt unequal to a man; reasons for not marrying; teaching in Alberta; teaching kindergarten at Japanese United Church; Rotary fresh air camp; teaching Pender Harbour Japanese fishermen; church camp leader; teaching in Kaslo and Invermere; putting on "The Mikado" in a community; Invermere; social work course at UBC; Family Welfare Bureau; integration of social work departments; evacuation of Japanese; services in Vancouver; social workers.

CALL NUMBER: T0211:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Martha Moscrop : a social worker cannot be a Socialist RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-05-24 SUMMARY: Martha Moscrop discusses the evacuation of the Japanese; administered by General Motors men; some examples of her work; some good in the evacuation; disposal of their assets, etc.; terrible -- but no political involvement; Social Welfare Department of B.C. training supervisor; social welfare legislation; social workers in-service training programs in B.C., Malaya, Hong Kong; England and Israel; presently (1973) writing a book on adult education.

News item. BC Human Resources Minister Bill Vander Zalm speaks with the press about a new welfare ruling. In order to qualify for welfare in B.C., applicants must now prove that they have resided here for the past four months. Mr. Vander Zalm says this ruling is necessary because: "We now have probably the highest rate for social assistance in North America, and we certainly don't want to create a situation whereby we encourage great numbers of people to come from the Maritimes or Quebec or Ontario. . . ."

CALL NUMBER: T1410:0009 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): 1960 provincial election PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the 1960 election in detail: campaign issues, organization in his constituency, funding of election campaigns. Description of conduct of MLAs in the legislature and the importance of freedom of behaviour. TRACK 2: More discussion on campaign funding and the reaction of people to Frank McMann's support of the Social Credit in the 1960 election. Discussion of the need for increase in transportation facilities for Vancouver. Options for mass transit and the problems of planning in the transportation field. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0010 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Mental health, 1962 federal election and E. Davie Fulton PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the Woodlands School and the problem of providing adequate mental health facilities for B.C. The formation of the NDP and the reasons for Bill 42 limiting the check off of union dues. Also mentioned is the problem of labour relations. TRACK 2: Mr. Black details the involvement of the Social Credit government in the 1962 federal election. The details of organizing the campaign for Social Credit. He also discusses federal-provincial relations and his meetings with Diefenbaker and various federal cabinet ministers. He talks about the role of E. Davie Fulton as leader of the Conservative party, provincially. He relates his knowledge of the development of Simon Fraser University. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0011 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Social Welfare Department, B.C. Electric, and the C.C.F.-to-NDP PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the formation of the Social Welfare Department and his goals as its first minister. The problems of reorganizing it. Dealing with the concept of welfare. The New Willington School for Girls. Problem of staffing the department and working with social workers. TRACK 2: The problem of handling a rapidly growing department and the demand for more and more services. Financial constraints. Discussion of the overlap between provincial and municipal welfare programs. Provision of welfare service to northern B.C. and some of the problems involved. The takeover of B.C. Electric and some of the reactions to this policy. The establishment of the NDP as a party. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0012 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The 1966 election, health care and the Bank of B.C. PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses his impression of leaders of the opposition: Dave Barrett, Harold Winch. Some of the examples of government austerity programs. Establishment of the Bank of British Columbia. Discussion of role as Provincial Secretary. Electoral redistribution in 1966. The 1966 provincial election and campaign issues. Role of W.A.C. Bennett in the 1966 election. TRACK 2: Mr. Black becomes Minister of Health and Hospital Insurance. Some of the immediate reactions to being minister of this department. Problems with providing extended care facilities for the province. Rising health care costs. The Agnew-Peckam Report on Vancouver General Hospital. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0013 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The 1969 and 1972 elections, and the press PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the creation of regional hospital districts in 1967. He evaluates his 20 years as a cabinet minister. The impact of the resignation of Robert Bonner. Press relations. TRACK 2: W.A.C. Bennett's interest in taking over the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Plans for the development of the north. The impact of the development of Robert Banks Super Port and coal mining in the Kootenays. Also discusses: the 1969 provincial election, and campaign issues; 1972 provincial election; the Kelowna Charter; New Westminster demonstration; and Phil Gaglardi. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0014 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The 1971 Centennial, culture, and his role as minister PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses his role as Provincial Secretary, the 1971 Centennial, and the building of Heritage Court. He remembers Willard Ireland, Provincial Archivist. Discusses the concept of culture. TRACK 2: Support of cultural programs and funding. Changing character of Members of Legislative Assembly. Role of women in government. His workload as a cabinet minister. Major illness in 1967. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0015 - 0016 SUMMARY: [No content summaries or other documentation are available for these two recordings.]

CALL NUMBER: T1988:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Doris Mellish, General Medicine, Vancouver PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1970 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-01-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Personal background; nurses training and early job experiences; life on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island; health care on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island; involvement with the Vancouver Health League; mental health; amalgamation of city health and school health; start of Mental Health committee; description of Parent Teachers Association; parent education courses. TRACK 2: ; Description of courses; formation of Vancouver Health League and the Community Chest; Council of Social Agencies; smallpox epidemics of 1919 and 1932; vaccinations for small pox; school vaccination; Cancer Foundation; BC Cancer Society; Tranquille. CALL NUMBER: T1988:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Doris Mellish, General Medicine, Vancouver PERIOD COVERED: 1950-1976 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-01-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Community program takeover by government; choosing members of family service organisations; payment for services by government; availability of services throughout BC; care of aged; nutrition; results of Conference of Aged; law resulting from the study of facilities; nutrition in Vancouver; fluoridation. TRACK 2: Fluoridation; water pollution; registry of disabled children; handicapped aids; building codes for handicapped; residential treatment for disturbed children. CALL NUMBER: T1988:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Doris Mellish, General Medicine, Vancouver PERIOD COVERED: 1940-1976 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-01-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Vancouver Health League; mental health; house for residential treatment; mentally retarded; formation of BC Mental Health Association; volunteers for mental health centres; preventorium; Sunnyhill; formation of Victoria Order of Nurses; industrial health in Vancouver; Community Chest organisations. TRACK 2: Community Chest; changes and budget deficits; opinions of resource boards; Community Chest; future.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Co-ordinator of Health Care Services, Vancouver Resources Board RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1976-04-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Background; brief career as a dietitian here and in UK; involvement in dental care; came to Vancouver and became a nutritionist with Catholic Child Care; last year, 1975, became the head of dietetics in the Vancouver Resources Board. Health care as it was before integration last year; decentralisation (see Foulkes Report) responsible for reorganisation of social services; mandate of Resources Board; 14 local offices and 5 special offices; Mincome delivered at Dunsmuir Street office; advent of resources boards, and their disbandment; definition of health care according to resource boards, defined by programs: old people's care and children. Staff of specialists in psychiatry department, to help children; work closely with all community resources; public health nurses' duties. Adult; care resource homes: Taylor Manor and Kinna Mair. Nutritionists help recipients and community groups to budget food and balance with goodness; also help baby home. Children in care of the Resources Board present with a variety of health problems. One medical clinic under Resources Board; one full-time physician and a part-time pediatrician. Dental health arranged. Post-partum group handles new mothers with problems; program for counseling these women. Types of problems handled. Men's group started. Child abuse dealt with. TRACK 2: Other programs of Resources board: nutrition program for healthy babies; drug and alcohol abuse an ongoing problem. Taylor Manor, for adults with mental and physical problems who are not able to function in the community, and are not expected to get into the community; 894 new contacts in 1974 under the psychiatric counseling. Taylor Manor has 58 beds and a waiting list; government pays for all. Per diem rate for five levels of care, set by government. Relations with other community health services. More involvement with Attorney-General's Department hoped for. Future of Resources Board.