The item consists of a promotional video created by JEM Productions in 1983 for the Government of British Columbia. It contains a presentation about future development on the north shore of False Creek in Vancouver, the site of Expo '86.

Promotional film. Presentation about future development on the north shore of False Creek in Vancouver, the site of Expo '86.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-01-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Wong discusses background: born 1896; moving to Canada, 1911; what Vancouver was like in the early years of the twentieth century; living on Keefer Street; brother's laundry business; Chinatown; going back to China in 1919, but returning to Canada 1921. Mr. Wong and his brother built a new, bigger laundry business. Describes laundry business. Discusses what life was like for early Chinese in Vancouver. Few women in early Chinatown. Flu epidemic of 1918. TRACK 2: Discusses: medicines used by Chinese herbalists; the Depression -- hard times for many Chinese businesses; his opinion of urban renewal; Chinatown on Carrall St. in 1911; Chinese opera house. (End of interview);

The item consists of 2 reels of unedited film footage from 1979. It shows the demolition of old houses in downtown or West End Vancouver, January 1979, to make way for new development.

CALL NUMBER: T3132:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community PERIOD COVERED: 1908-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Fred Soon discusses background: born Canton 1908; immigrated 1921 on CPR boat with relatives; paid $ 500 head tax; held in Immigration Building for 3 weeks; Chinese 'a political football' prior to 1947. Early life for Fred Soon in B.C.: jobs limited to labour work in mills, on farms, in laundries, etc; sister-in-law not accepted into nurse's training in B.C. in 1950; attended Strathcona School to learn English; then Britannia; father made him take one year commercial course at John Oliver so he could run his own business; first lived in 'community house'; help clan associations offered Chinese. TRACK 2: More on Soon's life in Strathcona neighbourhood: grocery store during Depression then shipyard work at Burrard Shipyards building Liberty ships during WW II (considered a good job;); post-war grocery store then shingle mill work; active in IWA union as Chinese organizer; unions discriminatory in early days, but later changed mind.; CALL NUMBER: T3132:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community PERIOD COVERED: 1921-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses the expropriation of his house on Pender Street for urban renewal: he refused to sell to City Hall because they would not give him replacement value only market value (unfair because area had been designated for clearance so property values had dropped); refused to go to arbitration; had to move out due to stress on wife but he never completely abandoned house; house was demolished without his consent on morning in 1967; went through three lawyers, none of whom could help him. TRACK 2: More on expropriation of house: third lawyer that represented him settled for Fred Soon without telling him first; Soon refused to accept money which was kept in trust by lawyer until just before his death when Fred Soon had to take it. Soon was active in early formation of SPOTA; labels ;urban renewal 'urban destruction'; points out basic errors in City Hall's program. Describes Depression jobs and how labour contractors worked. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T2799:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community PERIOD COVERED: 1922-1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-09-24 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Harry Con discusses background: born 1922 in Canada; went to China as a boy; returned to Vancouver in 1934 and went to Strathcona School where he learned English; mother was Canadian-born; father immigrated at age 15, worked on railroad, then in sawmills; father Chinese foreman at Capilano Timber (Hastings Park area); conditions of work for father. Con served in WW II; after discharge in 1945, he worked for "Chinese Times", then as principal of Chinese Community School (run by Chinese Freemasons); father a Freemason, as is Harry; relates functions of organization pre and post WW II. Discusses: sending bones back to China; Chinese emigration; discrimination; integration; history of Freemasons as a political organization supporting Sun Yat-sen. Begins narration of urban renewal crisis in Strathcona during '60s; formation of Chinese Property Owners Association under wing of Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA). TRACK 2: Urban renewal crisis (cont'd). Phase I and II of urban renewal. Organization meeting for SPOTA in late '68 where he was elected co-chairman. Discusses his candidacy for School Board in 1968, and political tactics of Chinese Community and of SPOTA. SPOTA's legitimacy as spokesman for Chinese community, 4th level of government on Strathcona Rehabilitation Committee (SRC). Other workers in SPOTA and his resignation. Issue of narrowing roads led to his resignation. Sien Lok Conference in Calgary, Robert Andras & brother Ron Con. Ron's work in Toronto. Freeway and Columbia Connector debates: part played by CBA and by SPOTA and CCC (Chinese Cultural Centre); Reasons for SPOTA's success.

CALL NUMBER: T2799:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1965 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-09-24 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Harry Con discusses: his return to Canada in 1934 and practice of detaining immigrants in Immigration Building; living conditions in 1920s for Chinese in Chinatown; father's work as labour contractor at Capilano Timber; Chinese Empire Reform Association vs. Dr. Sun; split between Freemasons and Nationalists after Republic established; Freemasons no longer a political organization. Wong Foon Sien: head of CBA and head of Hoysun Ningyung Districts Association; spokesman for Chinatown. Discusses: the threat to close Chinese school in 1930s; learning to speak English; retaining Chinese culture; strong family system of traditional culture. TRACK 2: Discusses World War II: joining up to press for full citizenship rights; service in Southeast Asia in Secret Service (British). 1963-64 revitalization of Chinatown: protest over Quebec connector; money of new Hong Kong immigrants; Chinese Cultural Centre; Chinatown Historical Planning Committee. (End of interview);

CALL NUMBER: T2678:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Italian community PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1945 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1977-03-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: A discussion of Ramon's Italian background: his parents' emigration from Italy in 1920s; Alphonso Benedetti's store at Union and Princess (Benny's Market). TRACK 2: Social life in the neighbourhood: winter sports; local animals; picnics; foods; kids' games; roller skating; ethnic rivalries. CALL NUMBER: T2678:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Italian community PERIOD COVERED: 1928-1950 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1977-03-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discussion of: McLean Park summer programs; Boccia; Strathcona School; Japanese evacuation during WW II; other ethnic groups; prostitution. TRACK 2: Discussion of: bawdy houses and prostitution; more about teachers and students at Strathcona School; music; Italian societies; Sacred Heart Church; dubious improvements of urban renewal. CALL NUMBER: T2678:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Italian community PERIOD COVERED: 1950-1977 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1977-03-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Movement of Italians out of community. New immigrants. Main Street shopping area. Geography of area. Sewer problems. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T3170:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-12-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Chan discusses: her family background; life of her grandfather; 1907 Vancouver Chinatown riots as experienced by her mother; grandfather's desire to be part of the gold rush; life of her father, various jobs he held including wood cutter, gardener, farm work; being born on Slocan Street; memories of Chinatown in the 1920s; role of women in Chinese society. Mrs. Chan then discusses her family's return to China in 1922-23 because they were so poor: family's dissatisfaction with return to China and difficulties adjusting to it; Mrs. Chan went to a co-ed school in China, rare at the time; medical services in China were limited, but all of Mrs. Chan's siblings were straightforward deliveries. TRACK 2: More about Mrs. Chan's memories in China: burglar anecdote; becoming a teacher for a government school; marriage. In 1947, Mrs. Chan returns to Canada due to help from money sent over by her sisters. Discusses: changes in Vancouver Chinatown; arrival of her husband to Canada in 1949 (daughter Shirley is 1 year old at this point); being a Chinese teacher in New Westminster; family store; growth of Chinese community; other neighbours in Strathcona area. Mrs. Chan starts to discuss her interest in stopping the urban renewal campaign of City Hall. Shirley not involved until she was a university student. More discussion about the campaign to stop the city from demolishing Strathcona community.; CALL NUMBER: T3170:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Chinese community RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-12-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More discussion about SPOTA and the campaign to stop urban renewal. Role of Mary's husband in SPOTA: failing health, but still chaired first meeting. Mrs. Chan is only founding member of SPOTA still on board. Mrs. Chan's plans to build Cultural Centre, another united Chinese community effort. Discusses how SPOTA achieved success. (End of interview);

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : the Ukrainian community PERIOD COVERED: 1928-1960s RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mike Harahuc discusses: various jobs on prairies after emigrating from the Ukraine in 1928; starting out with 20 acres and a house near Prince Albert for $100 down; buying a horse; doing well and buying a car; coming to Vancouver 1948; working at Excelsior Paper Stock; buying a crooked house on Union Street; back trouble; returns to prairies; describes operation on stomach without anesthetic; urban renewal in Strathcona in the '60s; joining the Chinese to fight City Hall; canvassing door-to-door. TRACK 2: Discusses: city repairs in area; rehabilitation he undertook in his house; converting from wood and coal stove to gas heat; longshoring in the '50s; getting work without being a union member; loading lumber and grain; dispatching office and how numbers are called; convenience of neighbourhood being close to docks; not being admitted to union; majority Chinese in Strathcona and how that should not lead to reverse discrimination against non-Chinese. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T3163:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : SPOTA interview PERIOD COVERED: ca. 1957-1970s RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bessie Lee (SPOTA president), Tom Mesic (past president and founding member), Mary Chan (founding member), and Anne Chan (executive member) recall the beginnings of citizens' opposition to City Hall's plans to demolish most of the houses in Strathcona for urban renewal in the late 1950s and the 1960s. First meetings with Chinese Benevolent Society (CBA); attempts to organize resistance to; selling property to city. Early meetings. Margaret Mitchell's contribution to starting SPOTA. Bessie Lee's original approval of plan shown at public meeting. Problems with plan: low payment for houses did not allow ex-owners to buy elsewhere; old age pensioners and those on fixed incomes forced into high-rise low-income housing projects; Chinese forced to move out of area because they did not like projects. Bargaining method used by city. Meetings at Strathcona School: Margaret Mitchell and Darlene Marzari urge concerned citizens to join new group, SPOTA. Methods used to achieve success where earlier CBA-affiliated group failed: bilingual members reduce need for costly lawyers; canvassing door-to-door; pairs on executive to ensure greater participation. Second public meeting drew 600. How Tom Mesic got involved. TRACK 2: General state of disrepair in neighbourhood. Mary Chan: organizing to maintain Chinese way of life. Shirley Chan's contribution to SPOTA; working with social services people -- Margaret Mitchell, Darlene Marzari, Michael Harcourt, Penny Stewart. Original SPOTA group included the Chans, Sue Lum, Wong Yuen, Mrs. Sam Lum, Louise Fung. Lack of confidence in residents at their being able to tell City Hall what to do. Group strategy meetings. Jonathan Lau's contribution. City planner Gerald Sutton-Brown delays access of SWC report to City Council. SPOTA enlists help of B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Campbell. Birmingham & Wood report to City Council. Paul Hellyer visits; freezes urban renewal program. Morris Eagan chairs first Working Committee.; CALL NUMBER: T3163:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : SPOTA interview PERIOD COVERED: ca. 1957-1970s RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: SPOTA constantly sought clarification from Working Committee and referred everything back to General Meeting. Additional help from lawyers Harcourt, Joe Wai, consultant David Spearing, social; researcher Dick Nan, social worker and interpreter Jonathan Lau. Harry Con points out financial injustices to get honorariums for active members. Strathcona Rehabilitation Committee (SRC) meets with new Housing Minister, Robert Andras, who insisted city recognize community participation in decisions. Strathcona accepted as fourth level of government on SRC. Further crises: freeway controversy, firehall site, Columbia-Quebec Connector. SPOTA's contributions to planning: linear park concept, in-fill housing. SPOTA is now watchdog for community re: further city planning. (End of recording) [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Efforts to save Strathcona neighbourhood PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1977 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1977-04-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Tom Mesic discusses: a Yugoslavian family at Keefer and Hawkes; geography of the area; food and religion in a Yugoslavian home; parents' memories of the Depression; a few recollections of Seymour School; politics in the home; bootlegging story. TRACK 2: Bootlegging story (cont'd). Mr. Mesic discusses: prostitution in the area; rum running; discipline and attitudes of young people towards the neighbourhood; neighbourhood changes. Efforts to save Strathcona neighbourhood: SPOTA (Strathcona Property Owners' and Tenants' Association), SRC (Strathcona Rehabilitation Committee), NIP; dynamism of Shirley Chan; negotiating with municipal, provincial and federal governments. Changes brought about by rehabilitation of neighbourhood. Criticism. Postal union and shop steward in West Vancouver. (End of interview)

SUMMARY: SIDE 1: Editorial regarding the need for funding for post war urban projects in Vancouver to address the housing shortage and needed improvements in hospitals, schools, and the poilce force. [SIDE 2: ;blank.];