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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.

CALL NUMBER: T1675:0039 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Social Credit and the 1972 election in British Columbia PERIOD COVERED: 1969-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-03-18 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses government use of special warrants for special expenditure of public funds. The use of orders-in-council. Response to criticisms that his was a "government by order-in-council". The 1969 provincial election. The possibility of resigning as Premier prior to 1972. The influence of public opinion polls on Bennett's decision to remain in office. Succession to the Social Credit party leadership. John de Wolf and the 1969 election. The Conservative party under the stewardship of Derril Warren. The defection of Scott Wallace from the Social Credit party and its effect upon Socred fortunes. Factors contributing to the defeat of the Social Credit government, 1972. TRACK 2: Further discussion of factors contributing to Social Credit's defeat: the ban on liquor and tobacco advertising, limitation of public employee pay increases to 6.5 %. Bennett has no personal regrets, but is sorry about the defeat of several of his cabinet ministers and members. Response to the idea that 1972 was simply "time for change". Events following the defeat of his government. Personal feelings about the election loss. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0040 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early years, Conservative battles, political opponents and the Socred cabinet PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-03-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses aspects of his childhood and early years in New Brunswick. Recollections of school days. Memories of mother and father. Religious training. Recollections of Bennett's; attempts to gain the leadership of the Conservative party of B.C. Problems of the Conservative party in coalition with the Liberals. Pat Maitland and the stewardship of the Conservatives during the early Coalition era. TRACK 2: Anscomb's ascension to the leadership of the Conservative party after Maitland's death. Attempt to draft Howard Green from the federal party to replace Maitland. Evaluation of the various Leaders of the Opposition Bennett faced in the B.C. legislature: Winch, Webster, Strachan, Berger and Barrett. Reasons for Bennett's great admiration for Winch. Travelling cabinets. The operation of Social Credit cabinet under the leadership of W.A.C. Bennett. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0041 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Electoral reform in British Columbia, 1952-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-03-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses the operation of the cabinet during the years he served as Premier. The reasons why a full Hansard service was never instituted while Bennett was Premier. The Press Gallery and Hansard. Hansard and parliamentary tradition. Electoral reform in British Columbia during the years Bennett served as Premier. Bennett's theories of democratic representation: the example of the Peace River constituencies. The issue of over-representation of rural areas in the B.C. legislature. The redistribution of 1955. The issue of dual-member ridings. The Angus Commission on electoral reform, 1965. Reasons for appointing Dr. Angus. TRACK 2: Comments on the recommendations of the Angus Commission. Dissatisfaction with the commission's report by Socred backbenchers. The operation of the Socred caucus. Redistribution of 1966 and the increase in seats in the legislature from 52 to 55. Reasons why Bennett believes in special representation for rural areas of the province. All provincial ridings should be dual-member constituencies and tied to the same boundaries as the federal ridings. Bennett intended a further redistribution after the 1972 election. Comments on the Eckhardt Commission on electoral reform, 1978. Comments on an incident during the early years of the Socred government when Bennett attempted to persuade Charles Parker, MLA from Peace River, to resign in favour of Einar Gunderson. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0042 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The attainment of power, 1952, and a day in the life of the Premier PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses Conservative politics in B.C. in the 1930s and 1940s and his attempt to get elected as a federal representative in the 1948 Yale by-election. The story of Cyril Shelford and how he was persuaded to join Social Credit, 1951. Events following Bennett's assumption of the office of the Premier. Finding living accommodations in Victoria with Mrs. Bennett. For the first six months as Premier, Bennett had a perpetual headache. TRACK 2: The problem of securing legislative seats for Robert Bonner and Einar Gunderson. Recollection of the first legislative session presided over by Bennett as Premier. The appointment of Tom Irwin as Speaker of the House. Recollection of a demonstration by unemployed workers at the opening of the legislature in 1971. Bennett recounts a day in his life as Premier of B.C. Relations with the press. The role and function of his office staff. Relaxation in the evenings. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0043 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reaction to the defeat of Social Credit, 1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1972-1973 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses the defeat of his government in 1972. His personal reaction to the defeat and the decision to go on a world cruise with his wife. Receiving a cablegram from his son while on his trip and returning home to help rebuild the party. Soliciting the help of Dan Campbell and Grace McCarthy to rebuild the Social Credit party. Appealing to British Columbians to reject socialism and defeat the NDP government. TRACK 2: Helping elect Grace McCarthy as the president of the Social Credit party. The timing of W.A.C. Bennett's retirement from public life, 1973. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0044 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life in Edmonton, 1918-1930 PERIOD COVERED: 1918-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses leaving New Brunswick after the First World War and travelling to Peace River country. Moving to Edmonton and working in the hardware business with Marshall Wells' stores. Anecdote about MacKenzie King and politics in Edmonton. Playing and scheduling hockey games in Edmonton. Bennett's penchant for blue serge suits. Recollection of his girlfriend, Ellen Mulholland. The story of Clarence Budd, who served as best man at Bennett's wedding and later served as executive assistant to Bennett as Premier of B.C. [TRACK 2: blank.] CALL NUMBER: T1675:0045 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Aspects of government in British Columbia, 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses addressing a Social Credit meeting in Winnipeg in the late 1950s. The value of Aberhart's prosperity certificates. Comments on the severance between the federal and provincial wings of the Social Credit party. Social Credit monetary theory. Definition of a genuine Social Crediter. The origin of the "B.C. Government News". Bennett's attitude towards the youth of British Columbia. TRACK 2: Organization of the Young Socreds. Bennett was opposed to the idea of a Minister of Youth in the government. Reform of legislative proceedings. Hansard and question periods in the Legislative Assembly. Attitude towards parliamentary institutions. All-night sittings of the legislature. The role of the parliamentary Opposition. The role and duties of an MLA. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0046 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early years, origin of the B.C. Ferries and the Columbia River Treaty RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses the possibility of his United Empire Loyalist origins. Recollections of his mother and early years in New Brunswick. Comments on the creation of the B.C. Ferry system. The role of Captain Peabody of the Black Ball line. The CPR's reluctance to expand ferry transportation on British Columbia's coast. The effect of labour problems on the creation of the B.C. Ferries. The Columbia River Treaty and hydro-electric power development in British Columbia. TRACK 2: Recollection of meeting U.S. President Kennedy at a banquet in Seattle in 1961 and the topics they discussed. The legal battles which followed the British Columbia government's takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. Compensation for shareholders in the B.C. Electric Company. Further comments on the Columbia River Treaty. The issue of downstream benefits to the Americans. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T1375:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): A Cabinet Minister in the 1950s PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1971 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The granting of a tree farm licence in Squamish in late 1960s. Chief Justice Gordon McGregor Sloan and the Royal Commission on Forestry report, 1957. Sloan appointed permanent advisor on forestry, 1958. Relations between Sloan and Williston. Sloan's death in 1959 and associated problems, including unfinished assignments. Opposition to the TFL system by smaller logging companies. Williston's rejection of their arguments. TRACK 2: More on small operators' opposition to TFL policy. "Contractor clauses" in TFLs. Small loggers in B.C. Centennial celebrations of 1958. Role of L.J. Wallace and the centennial committee. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0009 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Royal visit 1958 and the Wenner-Gren plans PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Centennial celebrations, 1958. Details and anecdotes about Princess Margaret's visit, 1958. Other centennial events. Williston less involved with later centennial celebrations. Northern development in B.C. and Williston's role in promoting it. Williston's ideas about industrial development in B.C. TRACK 2: More on northern and industrial development. Wenner-Gren in British Columbia: Memorandum of intent, 1956, details about the original contacts, necessity of the letter of intent, Hydro power investigations, role of Percy Gray in the original conception of the development, the actual negotiations between the government and Bernard Gore and Burger Strid, roles of Williston, Bonner, Gunderson and Bennett in the negotiations, opposition to the agreement from press, legislative opposition and B.C. and Yukon Chamber of Mines, questions about Wenner-Gren personally. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0010 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The plans of Wenner-Gren and the Columbia River Treaty PERIOD COVERED: 1954-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Reaction to Axel Wenner-Gren. Role of Einar Gunderson and potential conflict of interest. Williston meets Wenner-Gren, 1957. More details on Wenner-Gren development. The Columbia River Treaty: Williston involved from 1956 to 1972, positions held by Williston, roles of Bennett and Bonner. TRACK 2: Secondary role of cabinet in Columbia River Treaty matters. Bennett only concerned with larger implications of the treaty. Developments to 1956. Kaiser proposal to dam the Columbia, early 1950s. Kaiser proposal rejected by Gen. A.G.L. McNaughton. Williston's personal assessment of McNaughton. McNaughton's "anti-American" attitudes. The "McNaughton Plan" for the Columbia River and Williston's reasons for rejecting it. More on General McNaughton. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0011 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hydro Electric Power Development in B.C., 1956-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Role of General A.G.L. McNaughton in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. Details of the treaty negotiations from Williston's point of view. Key role of Art Paget. Government strategy in the development of the Peace River region. The importance of timing between the Columbia and Peace power developments. TRACK 2: Decision not to proceed with the Columbia development until after a start was made on the Peace. The two-river policy. Williston tours the province to convince people of the value of the two-river policy. More on the two-river policy. Planning and negotiations, 1957-60. Circumstances regarding the detailed report of Paddy Sherman. Controversy about the Sherman article. More on planning and negotiations, 1957-1960. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0012 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Columbia River Treaty PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1962 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Firing of B.C. Power Commission general manager Lee Briggs, 1957. Progress in federal-provincial negotiations, 1957-1959. Consideration of flooding in East Kootenay and Arrow Lakes areas. The; International Columbia River Engineering Board report 1959, and the options for developing the Columbia River. TRACK 2: Considerations about the Libby Dam proposal. Role of Ed Bassett in the treaty negotiations. Complex financing of the engineering studies for the Columbia River projects. Columbia River Treaty signed, January 1961. Anecdotes about the signing ceremony. The key positions of B.C. Electric Co. Problems of marketing power in B.C. and the United States. The importance of making a long-term sale of power to the United States. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0013 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hydro Electric Power development in B.C., 1957-1963 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discussion of negotiation of the Columbia River Treaty. The roles of other cabinet ministers and technical advisors. Williston's personal assessment of the Columbia River Treaty. Issues arising from the public hearings on water licences for the Treaty projects. The takeover of B.C. Electric and Peace River power development companies, 1961. TRACK 2: More on the hydro power takeovers. Williston on the new board of B.C. Hydro and Power Authority. Other board members. Gordon Shrum and Hugh Keenleyside as co-chairmen of B.C. Hydro. CALL NUMBER: T1375:0014 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Negotiating the Columbia River Treaty PERIOD COVERED: 1960-1975 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975-10-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Shrum and Hugh Keenleyside as co-chairmen of B.C. Hydro. Clashes between E. Davie Fulton and W.A.C. Bennett. Negotiations for the sale of downstream benefits from the Columbia River. Delays due to federal election of 1962. Tenders for the Portage Mountain dam (Bennett Dam). Canadian ratification of the Columbia River Treaty. Relationship between Paul Martin (Sr) and Bennett. More on the sale of downstream benefits. TRACK 2: Sale of downstream benefits completed. Bennett not totally satisfied with the overall terms of the treaty. Williston's own unhappiness with regard to the division of flood control benefits. Federal-provincial negotiations on treaty implementation. Signing of the protocol to the treaty, 1964. Hearings before the External Affairs Committee, Ottawa. Peace Arch ceremony, 1964. Summary remarks about the treaty. Williston comments on the effects of inflation on the treaty. Information supplied during negotiations from Americans. No consideration given to power conservation.