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British Columbia--Economic conditions--1945-1985
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The good life and Twenty great years in British Columbia

The item is a video copy of a promotional film. The first part contains "The Good Life" about the economic and other benefits enjoyed by BC residents as a result of political leadership and industrial development in the province. Includes sequences on primary and secondary industries; the damming of the Columbia and Peace Rivers for hydro-electric power and flood control; expansion of highways; BC Ferries; tourism; assistance to homeowners; medical services; educational facilities; etc. Premier W.A.C. Bennett makes some brief prepared remarks at the film's beginning and end.

The second item on the tape is "Twenty great years in British Columbia" which is a review of industrial development and economic growth in the province under the Social Credit government of W.A.C. Bennett, 1952-72, and an outline of the measures planned in its 1972 budget. Beginning with a review of BC's economic situation in 1951-52, the film shows how Social Credit policies encouraged development through improved highways, the BC Ferry system, the encouragement of tourism, the extension of the PGE Railway and the construction of power projects on the Peace and Columbia Rivers. The planned expenditures and priorities of the 1972 budget are illustrated.

Opening doors : Taking the initiative

The item is a promotional video. Provincial and municipal levels of government combine to expand economic activity throughout the province. Specific programs to encourage investment and job creation are outlined.
One of an eight-part series on international trade and investment, aimed at enhancing BC's business opportunities overseas and in the United States. Each complete episode consisted of a half-hour film presentation followed by a half-hour phone-in segment featuring a guest panel of experts.

Opening doors : Expo means business

The item is a promotional video. Looks at Expo 86 from a business point of view. Expo officials describe programs and events designed to bring local and overseas business people together, and community organizations outside of Vancouver outline their plans to make the most of Expo 86.
One of an eight-part series on international trade and investment, aimed at enhancing BC's business opportunities overseas and in the United States. Each complete episode consisted of a half-hour film presentation followed by a half-hour phone-in segment featuring a guest panel of experts.

Eric Martin interview : [Roy, 1970 & 1971 : part 1]

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's early years, 1905-1917 PERIOD COVERED: 1905-1917 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-06-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses his personal and family background. Recollection of childhood in Nelson. Peter Veregin and the Doukhobors. Anecdote about the origin of the Moyie Museum at Kaslo. Father; enlisted in the army at Ottawa at the commencement of the First World War. TRACK 2: Recollection of his mother and her family during the War. The Fernie fire. Recollection of fire at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Stayed at Kingston while father was in training and then went overseas with his father. Went to public school in England. Recollection of London during the First World War.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's education during the First World War PERIOD COVERED: 1916-1918 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-06-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin recalls his education at public school in England. Father's military experience during the First World War. Anecdote about his brother, Norman Clive Martin. [TRACK 2: blank.]; C

ALL NUMBER: T3863:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's education and first job in Victoria, c.1920 PERIOD COVERED: 1917-1922 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-06-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin recalls his days at Sidcup College in England during the First World War. Interest in academic subjects and sports. School pranks. Comments on his parents' families. Many family members were well-known tennis players. TRACK 2: Martin family returned from England, April 1919. Settled in Victoria and attended St. Michael's school. Working on his parents' farm at Elk Lake. Working at the Dominion Bank in Victoria. Recollections of prominent Victorians of the day.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's experience working for a stock brokerage firm in Seattle in the 1920s PERIOD COVERED: 1922-1930 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-08-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin recalls working as a bank clerk for the Dominion Bank in Victoria in the 1920s. Joined the militia, 1924. Moved to Seattle to work for a stock brokerage firm. Recollection of the ;effects of the financial crash of 1929. Speculating in stocks. After brokerage firm went bankrupt, travelled to San Francisco. Travelled by freighter to Chile. TRACK 2: Adventures en route to Chile. Comparison between working for a bank and a brokerage firm.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's working experience in Chile, 1930-1932 PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1932 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-09-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses his years in Chile working as an accountant. Conditions in Chile during the 1930s. Appointment as chief warehouseman. Adventures at work in Chile. TRACK 2: Further comments on working experiences in Chile. Working in Santiago during a time of revolution. Returned to Canada, 1932. Participation in the Canadian Youth Congress. Participation in the rebellion in Chile. Comments on activities after returning to Canada.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin returns to British Columbia, 1932 PERIOD COVERED: 1932-[no date] RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-09-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses his activities in British Columbia after returning from Chile in 1932. [TRACK 2: blank.];

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's initiation into Social Credit PERIOD COVERED: 1931-1942 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-10-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses his initiation into Social Credit in the early 1930s. Conflict between Social Credit theorists and political action. Journey to the Okanagan Valley to find a mine. Picking cherries in Penticton. TRACK 2: Further comments on cherry-picking in the Okanagan Valley. Riding the rails back to Vancouver. Social Credit in B.C. during the 1930s. Working as a civil servant. British Israelites and Social Credit. Anecdote about meeting William Aberhart in Vancouver. Joined the army during the early part of the Second World War. Military training in Vernon.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin's career during the Depression PERIOD COVERED: 1930-[no date] RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-10-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses his military training during the Second World War. Life in Vancouver during the 1930s. Working for the Department of Education in the 1930s. Early Social Credit in B.C.; Recollection of Gerry McGeer. TRACK 2: Comments on W.A.C. Bennett and Lyle Wicks.;

CALL NUMBER: T3863:0009 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eric Martin recalls Vancouver during the 1930s and running as a Social Credit candidate, 1945 PERIOD COVERED: 1930-[no date] RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1970-10-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eric Martin discusses W.A.C. Bennett's background. Recollections of Depression days in Vancouver. The Vancouver Post Office sit-in. Comments on relief camps in B.C. during the Depression. The; effect of living in Vancouver during a time of turmoil. TRACK 2: Further comments on activities of the Canadian Youth Congress in Vancouver in the 1930s. Anecdote about disrupting a Communist-organized youth council meeting. Recollection of years after the Second World War in Vancouver. Working for a stock and bonds company, 1944-1945. After the War, Martin joined the Democratic Monetary Reform Organization. Ran in the 1945 federal election in Vancouver-Centre as a Social Credit candidate.;

People in landscape : Talking about Quesnel

SUMMARY: A program about development and industry in Quesnel from the end of World War Two to 1970, told in the words of contemporary residents. The voices heard include Mr. and Mrs. Justice Havelaer, Hubert Havelaer, Harold Marshall, and Peter Miller.

The fires of progress

SUMMARY: A radio documentary in which political scientist Walter Young examines the political phenomenon of British Columbia's Social Credit government. The program draws on interviews with Premier W.A.C. Bennett, members of his cabinet, MLA's, party workers, and voters, as well as commentary from political science professor Donald Smiley and psychiatrist Dr. James Tyhurst.

Bernie Langdon and John Harwood : interviews

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-11 SUMMARY: Mr. Bernie Langdon tells of his background; from Calgary, he became a construction superintendent and moved to Kamloops with his family; moved to Clearwater to open his own business in the logging industry. He discusses the industry's growth; his business, North Thompson Sales and Service. Then, John Harwood, who works as a heavy duty mechanic, discusses the need for industrial workers to be appreciated by society. He discusses how Europeans value people in the labour force, as compared to how Canadians do; the academic system; politics, and economics. TRACK 2: Mr. Harwood continues discussing the economics of the Clearwater area.

Peter Russell interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [1970?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Peter Russell, a police officer, describes how he came to Prince George in 1951 from Winnipeg; the big boom and development of Prince George; Indians in the area; logging; conservation; crime; industries and railroads. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Harold Moffat interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Harold Moffat, who was the mayor of Prince George from 1969 to 1979, describes the Moffat family, his childhood, the growth of Prince George, sawmills, pulp mills, the big boom when the PGE railroad came in, development of railroads, and Prince George being a cross-roads. TRACK 2: Mr. Moffat continues by discussing how the big boom affected social life, air and water pollution, population growth, housing developments, city limits, his career as mayor, and job training.

Garvin Dezell interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Garvin Dezell describes the growth and expansion of Prince George including roads, railroads, industry, economy, population, municipal services, sawmills, pulp mills and pollution. Then; Mr. Dezell discusses his political career as mayor and offers some opinions. TRACK 2: Mr. Dezell continues discussing pulp mills, air and water pollution, Prince George as a centre for 100,000 people, population growth, highways and more opinions.

William Blackman interview

CALL NUMBER: T0692:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. William Blackman describes his father, a miner who came from Ohio. William was born in Pennsylvania, and he describes how his father went west to Strathcona, Alberta, as a packer. He describes the family as they traveled across Alberta, including time at the Pocahontas Mine, until settling in Mile 49, which was then the end of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad. He describes the area around Cranberry Lake at that time. He describes the family homestead around 1906. He discusses several of the old timers who surveyed the land around that time. Mr. Blackman describes a winter where the temperature got down to 60 degrees below zero in 1915 and 1916. He continues to describes winters and how the weather was tough and working for a lumber company. He describes the now abandoned town of Lucerne; the activities there; the CPR; and the lumber industry. He describes journeys down the Canoe River including the geography. TRACK 2 Mr. Blackman offers anecdotes about the hot springs off the Canoe River and then describes lakes in the area and more on the Canoe River. He describes Swift Creek and the boating activity there. He describes the river from Mile 49 to Golden and how some of it was impassible. He describes several ways to get into the area, mentioning the towns and geography, including trading routes. He describes Athabasca Pass; the CPR; the Yellowhead and general difficulties of passing through the area. He discusses Indian reservations at Tete Jeune. He tells an anecdote of an Indian, Johnny Moullier, who came through the area who walked from Mil;e 49 to Chu Chua in 1916. More anecdotes about people carrying things along the Canoe River in 1908.

CALL NUMBER: T0692:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Blackman discusses an expedition up north on a survey party to the Peace River Country in great detail, including anecdotes about the experience, people who worked on the survey and the jobs they did, and the geography in detail. TRACK 2: Mrs. E. Blackman describes how her father, Arthur 'Curly' Cochrane, worked as a cook on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1911. She was born near Montreal and she describes her family, their farming practices and the family homestead. She describes Tete Jeune as it was when she was a child. She discusses the produce on the farm and nearby; farms. She discusses the area between Dunster and McBride. She discusses the variety of berries in the area, which they would sell to the railroaders. She discusses the post-WWII boom in the area.

E.E. Cace interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1970 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. E.E. Cace is an administrator, and he discusses his impression of Kamloops as he arrived from Mission in 1965; demographics, diversification of industry, ranching interests, forestry and milling, mining interests, a community with the Okanagan, how the building of the highways will affect Kamloops, the CNR, future development, sawmills, pulp mill operations in pioneer days, emissions; the cattle industry, the results of Kamloops' early growth and how it affects future growth, the regional-district system, Kamloops as an administrative system. TRACK 2: Mr. Cace continues by discussing the spirit of people in Kamloops.

Roy Blackwood interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Roy Blackwood was the Clerk Administrator of Williams Lake and, at the time of this interview, had been so for six and a half years. Mr. Blackwood explains that ten years prior, populations began to grow quickly, as much as nine percent per year. He sites the consolidation of six lumber mills as the cause. He outlines the boundaries of the municipalities; the types of wood forested; how the lumber industry grosses eighty percent of the money in the area; and the oldest government positions in the area. TRACK 2: Mr. Blackwood discusses provincial offices; land value; the tourist industry; roads; the Williams Lake Stampede; what the town was like prior to 1929; and he describes the city hall in detail.

Peter Miller interview

CALL NUMBER: T0431:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1970 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Peter Miller talks about the provincial regional boards and conflicts therein. He also discusses industry and labour in the Quesnel region; ranchers versus the timber barons; more about the provincial regional boards; more about industry in Quesnel; regional planning boards and the 108 development. TRACK 2: Mr. Miller discusses the tourist industry; regional districts and board; libraries; schools; hospitals; planning; the Moran and Bennett dams. Then he describes life as editor of the Quesnel Cariboo Observer, its development and present operation. He also discusses the Cariboo News Tabloid; Cariboo people; and youth.

CALL NUMBER: T0431:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1970 SUMMARY: Miller describes the Prince George region and its growth from 1964 to 1968. This includes: the growth of Prince George; the railroad; a description of Ben Ginters, the owner of Prince George Brewery; and a man named McBride.

Herb Gardner interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Herb Gardner was interviewed while holding the office of Mayor of Williams Lake. He describes the federal building; the regional board; urban planning; and the electoral process. Before elections, people were appointed to the board. Demographics of the district. Mr. Gardner offers his own personal history; born in Quesnel and lived in Barkerville; stories about old timers; his father came into the country in 1900, and was a shoemaker before becoming a miner; eventually his father ran a stopping house on a ranch; in 1928 the family moved to Quesnel and worked in the saw mill business. He describes what Williams Lake was like back then.

TRACK 2: Mr. Gardner comments about how smaller sawmills were driven out by economics and larger ones took their place; the lumber industry and how it drives the economy of Williams Lake; prospecting and cattle ranching; stampedes; how much he likes living in Williams Lake. He compares living in Quesnel to living in Williams Lake. He discusses the future and the progress of Williams Lake.

Donald and Harold Marshall interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Harold Marshall discusses the Quesnel region in the early 1960s; agriculture; people coming into the area; development of the tourist industry; lumber and pulp mills; pollution; people versus planners; employment; the Nagko Reserve; and regional planning boards. TRACK 2: Mr. Donald Marshall continues the discussion of regional planning boards; young people in Quesnel; advantages and disadvantages of living in Quesnel; labour and strikes; and his personal comments on Confederation. Mr. Donald Marshall talks about the Cariboo News Tab (Cariboo News Tabloid), a weekly news magazine published at Quesnel.

Robert Bonner interview

The item consists of 12 audio recordings of interviews with Robert Bonner in 1980.
T0244:0005 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.
T0244:0005 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 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. T0244:0006 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 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.
T0244:0007 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 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.

T0244:0009 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.
T0244:0009 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 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.
T0244:0010 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 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.
T0244:0011 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 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.
T0244:0012 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 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. T0244:0013 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 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.

T0244:0015 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.
T0244:0015 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 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.

Hassan Ali Abdul Rasool interview : [Buchanan, 1977]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hassan Ali Abdul Rasool : a Ugandan-Asian's experience in Canada PERIOD COVERED: 1972-1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: Mr. Rasool discusses his problems finding work in Vancouver; the course he studied in real estate; his involvement with Boy Scouts, the Lions Club, and the Ismaili volunteer organization. The discussi;on also includes his views on the upbringing of children in Canada; his impressions of the the Canadian Rockies; the titles he has held as a bridge player (including the Uganda National Championships ;for two years); and the psychological effect that unemployment had on him.;

Premier's office audio series

  • GR-3445
  • Series
  • 1973-1980

The series comprises audio recordings of two British Columbia Premiers, David Barrett and W.R. Bennett (as well as some of their cabinet ministers), heard at news conferences, press events, election campaign stops, speeches, announcements, and media interviews, 1973-1980.

British Columbia. Office of the Premier

B.C. today

The item is a workprint of a promotional film from 1981. It is a revised/updated version of British Columbia Today (1976). It includes footage of Hat Creek, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, Kootenay Canal, and the Mica and Seven Mile projects.

British Columbia today

The item is a composite print of a promotional film made in 1976. The film follows a group of American investors as they take a brief trip around B.C. to examine the province's economic opportunities and potential, its resources and markets. The province's major industries (forest products, mining/smelting, fishing/canning, agriculture) are discussed, and the importance to industry of B.C. Hydro's electrical energy resources is highlighted. Includes sequences on Vancouver, shipping facilities, B.C. Ferries, Victoria and area, Bennett Dam, Site One, Mica Dam project construction, Kootenay Canal, Hat Creek coal deposits and exploration, export/trade with the Pacific Rim, and Roberts Bank coal port.

British Columbia : Canada's Pacific gateway

The item is an educational film that shows the geography and economy of British Columbia, and the daily lives of its inhabitants. Includes scenes of the Tyee Salmon Tournament at Campbell River; Butchart Gardens; the Inside Passage.

The good life

The item is a release print of a promotional film from 1968. It shows the economic and other benefits enjoyed by BC residents as a result of political leadership and industrial development in the province. Includes sequences on primary and secondary industries; the damming of the Columbia and Peace Rivers for hydro-electric power and flood control; expansion of highways; BC Ferries; tourism; assistance to homeowners; medical services; educational facilities; etc. Premier W.A.C. Bennett makes some brief prepared remarks at the film's beginning and end.

A place of opportunity

The item consists of a promotional documentary film which presents the main economic features in BC, with an emphasis on future opportunities. The film includes scenes of the British Columbia International Trade Fair.

British Columbia. Ministry of Industry and Small Business Development

Social Credit - Bob Bowman

SUMMARY: Bob Bowman speaks in support of re-electing the Social Credit Party in the upcoming B.C. provincial election (no date given). Bowman says that taxes in B.C. are the lowest in Canada overall, and that ;Premier Bennett has kept hydro rates down. SIDE 1: Five cuts. SIDE 2: Three cuts.;

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