Showing 7540 results

Authority record

Mortimer-Lamb, Harold

  • 17362
  • Person
  • 1872-1970

Harold Mortimer-Lamb was born in Surrey, England in 1872. He came to Canada and settled first in Montreal, Q.C., and later he moved to Vancouver, B.C., and contributed articles to the Bureau of Information for the B.C. Government. He became Secretary-Treasurer of the Provincial Mining Association of B.C.; Secretary of the Canadian Mining Institute and served on the staff of the Department of Mines in Ottawa.

He was also an internationally respected photographer and art critic. As an early proponent of photography as fine art, Lamb corresponded with the most avant-garde photographers of the era and was an invited member of the Linked Ring. As an art critic he wrote in defence of the Group of Seven when many other critics attacked their work. After his retirement he took up painting, around 1942. His paintings and photography were displayed in a monograph exhibition curated by Jack Shadbolt at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1952.

Harold Mortimer-Lamb married Vera Weatherbie (1909-1977), and is also the father of prominent Canadian artist: Molly Lamb Bobak.

Dally, Frederick

  • 907
  • Person
  • 1838-1914

Frederick Dally was born in Southwark, London, England in 1838. He arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1862, on the China Clipper “Cyclone.” In March 1864, Dally leased a store at the corner of Fort and Government streets, and in 1866 he opened a photographic studio in Victoria. Between 1865 and 1870, he took extensive photographs around Vancouver Island and in the Cariboo District.

In 1866 Dally accompanied Governor A.E. Kennedy on H.M.S. Scout for a tour of Vancouver Island and Nootka Sound with his primary purpose being to visit and photograph First Nations communities.

In 1867, Dally visited the Cariboo goldfields in the central interior of British Columbia, and opened for business in Barkerville. He remained here for one month before returning to Victoria after a brief stay in Quesnelmouth. He returned to the Cariboo and again set up shop in Barkerville the following summer. His studio was in operation for only two weeks before it was destroyed by the Barkerville fire on September 16, 1868. During his stays in the Cariboo, Dally photographed mines, towns, and scenery. By December of the same year, Dally had returned to Victoria and was again operating his studio on Fort Street.

In 1870, Dally’s business was taken over by the Green Brothers, who were meant to purchase Dally’s negatives and photography equipment. Two years later, these items went for sale at auction and many of Dally’s negatives were apparently purchased by Richard and Hannah Maynard. Many of Dally’s photographs were published for sale under the Maynard name.

In October of 1870, Frederick Dally travelled to Philadelphia where he enrolled in a dentistry program. He graduated in 1872, at which point he returned to England to practice dentistry.

Frederick Dally died in 1914.

Johnston, Rita Margaret, 1935-

  • 22556
  • Person
  • 1935-

Rita Johnston was born in Melville, Saskatchewan on April 22, 1935, although she later moved to Surrey, British Columbia where she ran a successful trailer park. She was first elected to the BC Legislature in 1983 as an MLA for the riding of Surrey. However, Johnston’s political career had started much earlier in 1969, upon her election as a municipal councilor for Surrey. During the same 1969 election, future premier Bill Vander Zalm was elected as mayor of Surrey. Following his 1975 entry into provincial politics, Johnston ran for Surrey mayor in a bid to replace him. She lost the election by fewer than 100 votes, and served several two more Council terms from 1978 to 1980 and 1982 to 1983.

Johnston’s move into provincial politics came in 1983, when she succeeded Vander Zalm as the Surrey riding’s Social Credit candidate. She won the riding in the 1983 election and was re-elected three years later in the Surrey-Newton riding.
Between 1985 and 1986, Johnston served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources. In 1986, she served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and was subsequently appointed to a Cabinet position. Upon Vander Zalm’s resignation in 1991, Johnston was chosen as the interim leader of the Social Credit party, narrowly defeating Attorney-General Russ Fraser. She became Acting Premier and the first female premier in Canada, and was officially elected party leader at the Social Credit leadership convention in July 1991. During her term, she vowed to placing a higher priority on issuing affecting women. However, Johnston’s term as premier was short-lived. The Social Credit party was defeated in the October 1991 election and Johnston lost her riding. She officially resigned as Social Credit leader in January 1992.

St. Mary's Residential School

  • 38535
  • Corporate body
  • 1863-1984

St. Mary’s (Mission) Indian Residential School (IRS) was located at Mission in the Fraser Valley north of Abbotsford and east of Vancouver. The IRS operated from 1867 - 1984 (117 years).

Missionaries opened a boarding school at the St. Mary Mission in the Fraser Valley in 1863. The school was relocated in 1882, and a new school was built in 1933.

In its early years, the school made little use of corporal punishment, but this policy was dropped as the school was increasingly integrated into the federal residential school system.

The school closed in 1984.

The home communities of children sent to St. Mary's include: Agassiz, Ahousaht, Boston Bar First Nation, Chawathil First Nation, Cheam First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cowichan, Creekside, D’Aroy, Daroy, Deroche, Ditidaht First Nation, Ehattesaht First Nation, Harrison, Hesquiaht First Nation, Homalco First Nation, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’ (Kyuquot / Checleseht First Nations), Kanaka Bar Indian Band, Katie, Katz, Katzie First Nation, Klahoose First Nation, Kwakwelth, Kwaw-Kwaw-apilt, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation), Laidlaw, Lake Babine Nation, Langley, Lillooet, Líl̓wat Nation, Lyackson First Nation,Lytton First Nation, Malahat Nation, Matsqui First Nation, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, N'Quatqua, Nicomen Indian Band, Nuchatlaht, Osoyoos Indian Band, Pacheedaht First Nation, Pauquachin First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Pocum, Popeum, Popkum First Nation (Pópkw’em), Ruby Creek, SAMAHQUAM, Sardis, scəẃaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen First Nation), Seabird Island Band, Seabird, Sekw’el’was (Cayoose Creek Band), Semiahmoo First Nation, Seton Portage, Shxw’ōwhámél First Nation, Skatin Nations, Skookum Ok., Skowkale First Nation, Skwah First Nation, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Slave, Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose First Nation), Snuneymuxw First Nation, Spuzzum First Nation, Sq'éwlets, Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook First Nation), Squiala First Nation, Sts'ailes, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation, Sumas First Nation, T’exelc - The Williams Lake First Nation, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Tla’amin Nation (ɬaʔəmen Nation), Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation, Tsal’alh, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation (SȾÁUTW̱ FIRST NATION), Tzeachten (Ch’iyaqtel) First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Uhehalis, Union Bar, Xa’xtsa (Douglas First Nation), Xaxli’p, Xwísten (Bridge River Indian Band), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Yakweakwioose First Nation (Yeqwyeqwí:ws), Yale First Nation.

British Columbia. Executive Council

  • 3548
  • Government
  • 1871-

In British Columbia, the Executive Council is synonymous with the cabinet, which is composed of the Lieutenant-Governor's principal advisors or ministers. While an advisory council of sorts had existed in Vancouver Island since 1851, a distinct Executive Council (separate from the legislature) was not established on the island colony until 1863. A similar body was not established on the mainland colony of British Columbia until 1864. In both colonies the councils were appointed by the Governor, and even after the union of 1866, the Executive Council of British Columbia was responsible only to the Crown, not to the popularly selected Assembly. Not until British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871 and assumed responsible government were members of the executive accountable to the legislature.

The Executive Council of British Columbia, unlike the cabinets of most of the other provinces of Canada, was created by letters patent, rather than by statute. B.C.'s Executive Council was, nevertheless, regulated by provincial statute, notably by the Constitution Act of 1871 (34 Vict, c.3.). Sections 2 - 5 of the Act provided for a council that would be composed of "such persons as the Governor from time to time thinks fit". Officers of the council were to include the heads of important government departments and were to serve at the pleasure of the governor. Yet while nominally appointed by the Crown's personal representative in the province, Executive Councillors are, in fact, chosen by the Lieutenant-Governor's chief minister, the Premier.

The Premier usually serves as President of the Executive Council and it is expected that he will choose his cabinet colleagues from members of the legislature. It is instructive to note, however, that there is no legal connection between the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly of the province; that is, it is possible for a person to be a member of the Council without holding elected office. Of course, the conventions of constitutional monarchy and responsible government are normally upheld, and it is unlikely that a lieutenant governor would maintain a minister against the wishes of the elected majority. Similarly, although there have been exceptions to the rule, a premier would not normally take into his cabinet anyone who had not been elected to the House.

It is also instructive to note that British Columbia is one of the few provinces in Canada where the size of the Executive Council is limited by statute. Indeed, only Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have similar legislation. At present, the cabinet comprises twenty-three members, nineteen of whom are entitled to receive the salaries of Executive Councillors. In 1871 the Council was limited to five members. By the terms of the Constitution Act, members were to include the Colonial Secretary (who, after 1872, was styled the Provincial Secretary), the Attorney-General, and the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works. Two years later (1873) the Constitution Act was amended and the Council enlarged to six members, including the Minister of Finance and Agriculture. Further revisions followed and by 1911 the Council had increased to eight members, six of whom were entitled to ministerial salaries. The Executive Council then included the Provincial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Minister of Finance and Agriculture, the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Railways, and the President of the Council.

Since the cabinet is the executive arm of the government, it has the authority to enact regulations, as defined by the Regulations Act (RS 1979 c. 361), Regulations, so defined, include rules, orders, proclamations, and bylaws of a legislative nature, made under or by the authority of any act passed by the legislative assembly. Among the regulations are Orders-in-Council which are formally described as "official documents promulgating Government decisions concerned with the day-to-day operation of the Province. Note that Orders-in-Council are made under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor or, more precisely, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. The latter implies the Lieutenant Governor acting by and with the advice of, or by and with the advice and consent or in conjunction with, the Executive Council (Interpretation Act, RS 1979, c.206). Thus, the term "Lieutenant-Governor in Council" occurs frequently with reference to business conducted by what is otherwise known as the Executive Council, or cabinet.

The intricacies of the Executive Council in the colonial period are discussed in James E. Hendrickson, ed., The Journals of the Colonial Legislatures of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, 1851-1871. (Victoria: Queen's Printer, 1980), I, xxvi-xlviii. The nature and limitations of the provincial Executive Council are detailed in A.B. Keith, Responsible Government in the Dominions, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926), vol. 1. John T. Saywell's The Office of the Lieutenant Governor (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1957) is also useful in understanding the constitutional character and complexities of the provincial cabinet.

British Columbia (Colony). Legislative Assembly

  • 3272
  • Government
  • [1858?]-1871

By 1863 the colony of British Columbia had a government structure that consisted of an Executive Council and a Legislative Assembly

In 1866, the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia were united and the power and authority of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the Colony of British Columbia was extended to include Vancouver Island. When British Columbia joined Confederation as a province of the Dominion of Canada in 1871 the government structure continued to be based on the system of government in place in the colony, including the bicameral legislature

Genn, Kenneth Reginald

  • 6065
  • Person
  • 1905-1982

Kenneth R. Genn owned an accounting firm that had been established in 1901 by William Curtis Sampson. Sampson began the firm after working for the Canadian Pacific Railway and as a rancher in the Fraser Valley. In 1921, Reginald Genn took over the firm when Sampson retired. In 1953, Kenneth Reginald Genn took over the firm after his father died. Kenneth Genn died in 1982.

British Columbia (Colony). Legislative Council

  • 6
  • Government
  • 1863-1871

The first Legislative Council of the Colony of British Columbia was established by an Order in Council in 1863 (22 Vict., 11 June 1863). Prior to that, the governor of the colony (James Douglas) had unconditional power and authority to legislate and administer justice by proclamation.

In 1863, the Colonial Office in England instituted constitutional changes for the Colony of British Columbia, parallel to those already instituted in the Colony of Vancouver Island, by establishing a Legislative Council that was responsible for advising the Governor and giving consent on legislation for the colony. The Legislative Council had fifteen members: five principal heads of government departments (Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Lands and Works, and Collector of Customs), five magistrates appointed by the governor, and five members, selected by the gold commissioners, representing five districts of the colony.

The first Legislative Council was convened in January 1864 and a few days later the Governor formed an Executive Council consisting of himself as presiding member, the Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Lands and Works, and Collector of Customs.

When the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia were united in 1866, the government administration for the Colony of Vancouver Island was transferred to the authority of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the Colony of British Columbia. After 1868, the Police Magistrate for New Westminster replaced the Treasurer. The Colony of British Columbia had no Legislative Assembly.

Eight sessions of the Legislative Council were held between 1864 and 1871. In 1870, the British Columbia Government Act was passed in the British parliament which replaced the existing Legislative Council with one in which six of the nine members were elected for four year terms. It was this quasi-representative body, presided over by an elected speaker, which ratified the terms of confederation for the province of British Columbia.

The Executive Council and Legislative Council of the Colony of British Columbia ceased to exist when the colony became a province of the Dominion of Canada in July 1871. The first provincial election took place a few months later, electing the first premier, John McCreight. His government consisted of an Executive Council (Commissioner of Lands and Works, Attorney-General, and Colonial/Provincial Secretary) and a Legislative Assembly of 25 elected representatives.

British Columbia (Colony). Governor (1858-1864 : Douglas)

  • 1
  • Government
  • 1858-1864

The first Governor of the Colony of British Columbia, James Douglas, was appointed in 1858 by royal commission (22 Vict., 2 September 1858). Prior to that, the territories known as New Caledonia were under grant to the Hudson’s Bay Company. The establishment of the Colony of British Columbia resulted from two events: the termination the Crown grant with the Hudson’s Bay Company and, at the same time, an influx of population into the area resulting from the Fraser River gold rush.

The Government of British Columbia Act provided for a legislature with a council and an assembly, but from 1858 to 1864 absolute power and authority for the colony was invested by the Crown in the Governor. He was responsible for making and proclaiming laws and ordinances to establish "peace, order and good government" in the Colony. During this time, James Douglas was also the Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island.

In 1863, the Colonial Office in England instituted constitutional changes for the Colony of British Columbia, parallel to those for the Colony of Vancouver Island, by establishing an Executive Council and a Legislative Council. The Governor was still the officer administering the government.

Douglas retired in 1864 and Frederick Seymour was appointed Governor of the Colony of British Columbia. At the same time, Edward Kennedy was appointed Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island. When the two colonies united in 1866, the government administration for the Colony of Vancouver Island ceased to exist and the island came under the governance of the Colony of British Columbia.

Seymour remained as Governor of the united Colony of British Columbia and it was under his administration that the capital of the colony was moved from New Westminster to Victoria in 1868.

Seymour died in 1869 and he was succeeded as Governor by Anthony Musgrave. Musgrave was the Governor for the next two years, strongly supporting the Colony’s bid to join confederation as a province of the Dominion of Canada, which it did in 1871. Most of the colonial officials remained in their positions, under the authority of Lieutenant-Governor Joseph Trutch, until an election was held a few months after confederation. The first Premier of the province of British Columbia was John McCreight who served from 1871 to 1872.

Jordan, Patricia Jane (Laidman)

  • 16086
  • Person
  • 1930-1997

Patricia Jordan, a registered nurse and politician, represented the North Okanagan in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1966 to 1982 as a Social Credit party member. She was Minister without Portfolio in the W.A.C. Bennett administration from December 12, 1966 to September 15, 1972. She was the Minister of Tourism in the Bill Bennett administration from January 11, 1980 to August 10, 1982.

British Columbia. Lieutenant Governor

  • 3631
  • Government
  • 1871-

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

Tipton, William

  • 2387
  • Person

William Tipton was a Hudson's Bay Company clerk and postmaster at Telegraph Creek.

Beautiful British Columbia Magazine

  • 13790
  • Corporate body
  • 1959-1983

Beautiful British Columbia Magazine was the brain child of founding editor Clyde Harrington who initially suggested a full-colour travel publication to the provincial government. The first issue was entitled “Beautiful British Columbia: Land of New Horizons.” The magazine used large-format full-colour content. The magazine experienced a sharp increase in sales in the early 1960s as British Columbians started to send issues and subscriptions to friends and relatives worldwide. In 1983 the magazine was sold to the Jim Pattison Group.

British Columbia. Council of Public Instruction

  • 296
  • Government
  • 1891-1971

From 1891 until 1971 the Public Schools Act provided for a "Council of Public Instruction composed of the Minister [of Education] and other members of the Executive Council of British Columbia." As chairman of the council, it was the minister's duty to advise his cabinet colleagues "on all matters relating to education in the province." In other words, when the cabinet met to consider educational matters it was functioning as the Council of Public Instruction.

The council was the highest level in the province's educational bureaucracy. It had a wide range of powers that it exercised by issuing rules and through orders in council. The rules of the council dealt with general regulations while orders concerned specific situations.

The powers of the council were laid out in the Public Schools Act. In general terms, its powers may be summarized under seven categories: definition, regulation, approval, investigation and adjudication, appointment, and establishment. Through its powers of definition the council could establish or abolish school districts, define the length of school terms, and decide the classes of teachers' certificates. Under its powers of regulation it could set conditions for establishing schools, determine conditions under which Bible readings were held in the schools, and establish the general duties of school teachers.

Through its powers of approval it formally sanctioned the use of certain textbooks. Under the heading of authorization the council approved the course of study used in the schools and made grants for vocational programmes. Investigation and adjudication involved cases of disputed school board elections and the suspension of teachers' certificates. The council's powers of appointment allowed it to appoint school trustees and members of the Provincial Board of Examiners, while under the category of establishment the council could establish special training programmes and summer schools for teachers.

The Council of Public Instruction ceased to exist on 02 April 1971 by an amendment to the Public Schools Act.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Fort Fraser)

  • 38533
  • Government
  • 1913-1950

A Government Agent was first stationed in Fort Fraser in 1913. In 1950 the office was moved to Burns Lake. A government Agent operated at Burns Lake until the 1980s.

The government agency system of British Columbia has its origins in the two colonial offices of Gold Commissioners and Stipendiary Magistrates. Over time, the title "Gold Commissioner" became restricted to those officials performing the administrative and judicial duties laid out in mining legislation (Gold Commissioners held their judicial responsibilities until they were repealed by the Mineral Act of 1897). The more general title "Government Agent" was increasingly used for those officials with broader responsibilities and was consistently used to describe these multifunctional roles by the 1880s.

The several functions of a Government Agent are legally separate powers and appointments, which were often, but not always, held concurrently by the same individual. After confederation, Government Agents continued to fulfill a multitude of roles. By the turn of the century, a single agent’s duties could include:

Government Agent, Supreme Court Registrar, County Court Registrar, Sheriff, Gold Commissioner, Mining Recorder, Water recorder, Welfare Officer, Vital Statistics Recorder, Meteorological Recorder, Provincial Registrar of Voters, Federal Registrar of Voters, Game Warden, Land Commissioner, Assessor, Collector of Revenue Taxes, Financial Officer, Marriage Commissioner, Local Board of Health Sanitary Inspector, Cattle Brand Recorder, Maintainer of Government Buildings, Coroner, Gaoler, Constable, and Court clerk.

New functions were added as government services were created. For example, during prohibition, agents issued permits to purchase liquor. They also became involved with the administration of the Motor Vehicle Act by registering vehicles and licensing drivers. By 1900 policing functions were formally removed from Government Agents and transferred to police forces, though they continued to work closely with some police constables, particularly in rural areas, until the BC Police force was replaced by the RCMP in 1950.

Into the twentieth century, the staff in government agencies was growing substantially from one person who fulfilled all government functions, to offices with multiple staff supervised by the Agent.

The location of agencies and the headquarters of each agency where an Agent was located changed over time, based on the movement of population. There were often sub-offices or other outposts throughout a district with other government officials, such as Mining Recorders, who reported to the Government Agent at the district's headquarters.

Agents reported directly to the Provincial Secretary in Victoria until 1917 when they were became part of the Department of Finance, as one of their primary roles was tax collection. Starting in 1920 and increasingly after 1945, the role of the Government Agent was reduced and eroded by the growth of other more specialized and centralized branches of government. For example, Agents provided social services and acted as informal Social Workers by dispensing income assistance and child welfare responsibilities until they were replaced by trained Social Workers in the 1930s.

Into the 1950s the Government Agent in some small communities continued to act as Magistrate, Gold Commissioner, Mining Recorder, Maintainer of voters lists, Recorder of vital statistics and many other duties. However, these roles were increasingly done by representatives of different government branches. As of 2022, a Government Agent is still based in Port Alberni, working as an administrator with limited authority in several communities across the province.

British Columbia. Surveys and Mapping Branch

  • 273
  • Government
  • 1949-1982

The Surveys and Mapping Branch was the successor office to the Surveys and Mapping Service and the Surveys Branch. The branch was responsible for surveying Crown lands; collecting data from surveys of Crown lands done by private surveyors in support of applications for land pre-emptions, timber, mining, and water rights licenses and/or leases; compiling various types of reference maps for the use of the department; and, providing public access to maps created by the branch.

In 1982 the name of the Branch was changed to Surveys and Resource Mapping Branch.

Stephenson, Frederick Clark

  • 2306
  • Person
  • 1864-1941

Frederick Clark Stephenson was born near Bowmanton, Ontario. Dr. Stephenson was a missionary, fundraiser, and minister for the Methodist Church and then the United Church.

Stephens, Victor

  • 38530
  • Person
  • 1931-

Victor Albert Stephens is a former lawyer who served as M.L.A. for Oak Bay riding and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of B.C. from 1978 until his defeat in the provincial general election in 1979.

British Columbia Housing Management Commission

  • 38358
  • Government
  • 1967-

The British Columbia Housing Management Commission (BCHMC), commonly known as BC Housing, was constituted a body corporate and politic, pursuant to section 11 of the now repealed Housing Act (RSBC 1960, c. 183), by order in council 3746/67, approved December 8, 1967, and published as B.C. Reg. 76/68.

The mandate of BCHMC or BC Housing continued to be provided under the British Columbia Ministry Of Lands, Parks and Housing Act (RSBC 1996, c. 307). This mandate was to provide affordable housing to British Columbians by developing, administering and managing social housing throughout the province. BC Housing is also responsible for the administration of the Home Owner Protection Act (SBC 1998, c. 31). Under this legislation, it is also responsible for licensing residential builders, administering owner builder authorizations, overseeing home warranty insurance, and carrying out research and education to improve the quality of residential construction and consumer protection.

BC Housing is accountable to the Minister of Housing through a Board of Commissioners, responsible for corporate governance, and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by and reports to the Board of Commissioners and is accountable to the Board, but is not a board member.

At the end of 1975, the commission had a portfolio of 6,845 units. The federal/provincial rent supplement program for tenants in government-owned, and non-profit housing projects was also administered by the Commission. The chairman of the Board of Directors at that time was the Minister of Housing.

In 1976-1977, the BCHMC or BC Housing was one of three agencies under the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing. The other two were Dunhill Development Corporation Limited, and the British Columbia Housing Corporation. Acquired on January 10, 1974, Dunhill's prime responsibility was the assembly and servicing of land for housing developments. The crown corporation had four divisions: Land Development Division, Property Management Division, Operations Division, Marketing Division. The main purpose of the British Columbia Housing Corporation was to enable the Province to make use of federal funding with respect to rental housing units operated by the provincial government throughout B.C.

Prior to 1967 when the British Columbia Housing Management Commission was established, some functions of BCHMC regarding public/social housing were carried out under programs funded by the Provincial Secretary.

British Columbia. Ministry of Human Resources

  • 30
  • Government
  • 1976-1986

The Ministry of Human Resources was established in 1976 when the government renamed the Dept. of Human Resources (OIC 3199/76). The functions of the former Dept. of Human Resources remained virtually the same in this new department. The Ministry of Human Resources was responsible for all matters relating to social welfare, public welfare and social assistance. The department provided the delivery of a broad range of social services and income security programs including income assistance, assistance to the handicapped and the elderly, child welfare services and residential services. In 1986, the housing function from the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing, was merged with the Ministry of Human Resources. With this change came a new name, as the ministry was now called the Ministry of Social Services and Housing (OIC 1501/86 and OIC 1502/86).

MacCallum, Hugh Clark

  • 38532
  • Person
  • 1940-

Hugh Clark MacCallum was born on 12 September 1940 in Toronto, Ontario. At the age of 22, his father bought him an Argus 35mm to use whilst working on a Canadian Arctic DEWLine resupply ship for the summer of 1962.

MacCallum got his pilot's license in April 1963 leading to a lifelong interest in aviation, especially as a Commercial Bush Pilot. His first introduction to British Columbia was a prospective flying job in October 1968 at Kelsey Bay, BC . He spent the next 9 years working seasonally for various air charter companies in northern Manitoba & Ontario. He moved to BC in 1978, first to Port Alberni and then to Port Hardy, still working as a pilot. He continued flying professionally until 1981 and then continued as a passenger agent. Whilst flying along BC's coast, MacCallum was taking 72 pictures a week. He retired in 2005, and ceased taking photographs in 2022 to pursue other interests, some related to aviation.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Smithers)

  • Government
  • 1920-

A government agent was first officially stationed at Smithers in 1920. As of 2022, there is still a government agent based in Smithers.

The government agency system of British Columbia has its origins in the two colonial offices of Gold Commissioners and Stipendiary Magistrates. Over time, the title "Gold Commissioner" became restricted to those officials performing the administrative and judicial duties laid out in mining legislation (Gold Commissioners held their judicial responsibilities until they were repealed by the Mineral Act of 1897). The more general title "Government Agent" was increasingly used for those officials with broader responsibilities and was consistently used to describe these multifunctional roles by the 1880s.

The several functions of a Government Agent are legally separate powers and appointments, which were often, but not always, held concurrently by the same individual. After confederation, Government Agents continued to fulfill a multitude of roles. By the turn of the century, a single agent’s duties could include:

Government Agent, Supreme Court Registrar, County Court Registrar, Sheriff, Gold Commissioner, Mining Recorder, Water recorder, Welfare Officer, Vital Statistics Recorder, Meteorological Recorder, Provincial Registrar of Voters, Federal Registrar of Voters, Game Warden, Land Commissioner, Assessor, Collector of Revenue Taxes, Financial Officer, Marriage Commissioner, Local Board of Health Sanitary Inspector, Cattle Brand Recorder, Maintainer of Government Buildings, Coroner, Gaoler, Constable, and Court clerk.

New functions were added as government services were created. For example, during prohibition, agents issued permits to purchase liquor. They also became involved with the administration of the Motor Vehicle Act by registering vehicles and licensing drivers. By 1900 policing functions were formally removed from Government Agents and transferred to police forces, though they continued to work closely with some police constables, particularly in rural areas, until the BC Police force was replaced by the RCMP in 1950.

Into the twentieth century, the staff in government agencies was growing substantially from one person who fulfilled all government functions, to offices with multiple staff supervised by the Agent.

The location of agencies and the headquarters of each agency where an Agent was located changed over time, based on the movement of population. There were often sub-offices or other outposts throughout a district with other government officials, such as Mining Recorders, who reported to the Government Agent at the district's headquarters.

Agents reported directly to the Provincial Secretary in Victoria until 1917 when they were became part of the Department of Finance, as one of their primary roles was tax collection. Starting in 1920 and increasingly after 1945, the role of the Government Agent was reduced and eroded by the growth of other more specialized and centralized branches of government. For example, Agents provided social services and acted as informal Social Workers by dispensing income assistance and child welfare responsibilities until they were replaced by trained Social Workers in the 1930s.

Into the 1950s the Government Agent in some small communities continued to act as Magistrate, Gold Commissioner, Mining Recorder, Maintainer of voters lists, Recorder of vital statistics and many other duties. However, these roles were increasingly done by representatives of different government branches. The role of Government Agent continues to exist in 2022 as an administrator with limited authority in several communities across the province.

McKelvie, Bruce Alistair

  • 1726
  • Person
  • 1889-1960

Born in Vancouver in 1889, Bruce Alistair McKelvie was a historian and newspaperman. He wrote countless articles for a variety of newspapers, including the Colonist (of which he became managing editor in 1930), the Sun, and the Province. McKelvie joined the Province in May 1913, after brief stints with smaller newspapers on Vancouver Island. He worked as a police reporter, then covered Vancouver city hall affairs and eventually a variety of community activities. From 1929 to 1930 he served as Director of the Bureau of Provincial Information. In 1931 he was part of the BC delegation to Honolulu to negotiate a trade pact with New Zealand and in the following year represented BC at an Imperial Trade Conference in Ottawa. While manager of the Vancouver Board of Trade Manufacturers' Bureau, he launched a successful "Buy B.C. Products" campaign. McKelvie also held executive posts with the BC Historical Association and Native Sons of BC. McKelvie twice tried to represent Victoria, first in the provincial election of 1 June 1937 and in a federal byelection of 29 November 1937 but was unsuccessful on both occasions. As a young boy he was made an honorary chief of the Sliamon Band for saving the life of a girl from drowning, and thereafter maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the First Nations people of the province. In addition to the numerous pamphlets and articles McKelvie published, he also wrote the following books: The black canyon: a story of '58, Early history of British Columbia, Fort Langley, H.B.C. in B.C., Huldowget, Magic Murder and mystery, Maquinna the magnificent, Pageant of B.C., Pelts and power, and Tales of Conflict. He died on 17 April 1960.

British Columbia. Liquor Inquiry Commission

  • 4187
  • Government
  • 1969-1970

Appointed under Order-in-Council, number 278, dated January 31, 1969, to cause inquiry to be made into laws governing the distribution, sale and consumption of spirituous, vinous and malt liquors, and the laws and regulations pertaining thereto. The commission was to reference the 1952 Liquor Inquiry Commission. The chairman was Judge Charles William Morrow, Judge of the County Court of Yale, B.C. Most Reverend M.M. Johnson and Edward M. Lawson were commissioners.

Phan, Chrystal

  • 38529
  • Person
  • 1982-

Chrystal Phan is a Victoria-born artist born to Vietnamese-Canadian immigrants.

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