Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Speech from the Throne
General material designation
- textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on the front page of the speech from 1994 on.
- Variations in title: Some called opening or closing speech.
Level of description
Collection
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1872-1876; 1905; 1960-2021 (Creation)
- Creator
- British Columbia. Lieutenant Governor
Physical description area
Physical description
81 cm of textual records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Lieutenant Governor in British Columbia was established July 20, 1871.
The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General acting by and with the advice of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. Lieutenant governors are normally appointed for a period of not less than five years. The Lieutenant Governor fulfills several roles:
Vice-Regal
Directly represents the Queen of Canada, who is the legal Head of State in British Columbia. As Vice-Regal representative, the Lieutenant Governor acts as chief public representative and has the highest ranking position in the Provincial Government.
Represents the Crown as Chief Executive Officer during state and ceremonial events;
Acts as the vice-regal host for distinguished guests to British Columbia;
Perpetuates the traditional bond between the Crown, the Canadian Forces and uniformed services across British Columbia;
Supports an ongoing relationship between the Crown and the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia and represents Her Majesty at appropriate events and ceremonies.
Constitutional
Upholds the constitutional framework in British Columbia. In this role the Lieutenant Governor personifies the Crown, which is both the apex and the unifying link in the constitutional and political structure of the province – executive, legislative, and judicial.
Ensures the continued existence of government in the Province of British Columbia;
Selects a First Minister as Premier of the Province;
Appoints and administers the Oaths of Office, Allegiance and Confidentiality to the Premier and members of the Executive Council;
Summons, prorogues and dissolves the Legislature;
Delivers the Speech from the Throne;
Provides Royal Assent to provincial legislation;
Signs orders-in-council, proclamations and other official documents before they have the force of law;
Presents Bills by Message into the Legislature when they involve taxation or expenditure of public money.
Celebratory
Celebrates, inspires and connects British Columbians, while promoting the history, culture and achievements of the province.
Recognizes distinguished British Columbians by presenting orders, decorations and medals, including prestigious award programs that carry the name of the Lieutenant Governor
Provides personal patronage to support and encourage worthy endeavours focused on public service, philanthropy, the arts and community volunteerism
Hosts and attends celebrations and social events to connect British Columbians
Showcases the heritage, art and culture of the province while hosting members of the Royal Family, heads of state, ambassadors, consuls general and other distinguished visitors
Custodial history
Transferred in multiple accessions by the Legislative Library, the Protocol and Events Branch and the Deputy Provincial Secretary. The 2013 and 2021 speeches were transferred from the Office of the Speaker.
Scope and content
The collection consists of an incomplete set of copies of the Speech from the Throne, created between 1872 and 2021. The collection was made by the BC Archives using copies of the speeches, including red-ribbon copies, drawn together from various government office sources.
The Speech from the Throne is given by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia who addresses the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia at its opening and/or closing sessions. The speech outlines the executive government's plans at the start of each session of the Legislative Assembly and reviews the accomplishments of the government at the end of each session.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Printed copies of some speeches are available in the BC Archives library.
Restrictions on access
There are no access restrictions.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
A file list is available. http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Document/Finding_Aids_Atom/GR-3001_to_GR-3500/GR-3346.pdf
Associated materials
See the British Columbia Legislative Library for digital copies of the speeches from 1990 to the present.
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
General note
Archives code(s): GR-1712; GR-0373; GR-0357; GR-0372; GR-0652; GR-1538; GR-1031; GR-1539; GR-1756.
General note
Accession number(s): G87-054; G85-097; G85-098; G88-024; 95-1262
General note
Archives code(s): some accruals previously known as AAAA1450
Physical description
Most of the speeches are on oversize heavy paper and tied with a red ribbon, while others are printed versions.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- British Columbia. Lieutenant Governor (Subject)
- British Columbia. Legislative Assembly (Subject)
- British Columbia. Legislative Library (Subject)
- British Columbia. Legislative Assembly. Office of the Speaker (Subject)
- Office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary (Subject)
- British Columbia. Office of the Premier (Subject)