Forging Canada’s Pacific Gateway “The sea, more than the land, was the crucible in which Canada’s western destiny was forged. The Canadian Pacific Steamship Company was more than a fleet of ships—it was a bridge between continents, a projection of Canadian ambition into the vastness of the Pacific.” — Barry Gough, Fortune’s a River (2007)…
The Case for Reinstalling the John A. Macdonald Statue in Victoria, British Columbia The statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, once stood in front of Victoria’s City Hall, a tribute to the man who played a crucial role in the creation and development of Canada. However, its removal in 2018 sparked…
By Greg Scott W.A.C. Bennett’s reign over British Columbia, which had commenced in 1952, was not merely a political tenure; it was an era, one characterized by grand ambition and relentless drive toward modernization. His Social Credit Party, initially an outlier in Canadian politics, emerged from the fringes under Bennett’s guidance to become a formidable…
BY GREG SCOTT The transformation of the media landscape in recent years is profound, marking a significant departure from traditional journalism’s foundational principles towards a more sensationalist and speculative approach. This change reflects a broader cultural and technological evolution, deeply influenced by the rise of digital media and the subsequent shifts in content consumption habits….
The Wing Sang building in Vancouver’s Chinatown is a historic landmark with a rich history. It is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the area and has become an important symbol of the Chinese-Canadian community’s heritage. The building’s history can be traced back to 1889 when it was constructed by Yip Sang, a prominent…
Welcome to One of the most important events in B.C. history was Captain James Cook’s arrival at Nootka Sound and the resultant Indigenous Interactions and Influences in British Columbia The arrival of Captain James Cook at Nootka Sound in what is now British Columbia holds significant historical importance. Cook’s expedition in March 1778 marked the…
Listen to renown Historian Barry Gough discuss the dynamics of how commerce shaped and directed relations and development of relationships in British North America. The fur trade between the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) and indigenous peoples played a significant role in shaping the history of North America. It was a complex economic system that had…
Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, also known as the “Hanging Judge,” was a prominent figure in the early legal history of British Columbia, Canada. Born on May 9, 1819, in Mauritius, Begbie eventually became known as one of the most influential judges in the province’s history. Begbie began his legal career in England, where he was…
The study of history serves as a crucial lens through which societies comprehend their present and shape their future. In the case of British Columbia, a province steeped in a rich and diverse heritage, it becomes imperative to present fact-based, well-researched historical narratives. Such an approach allows citizens to gain a comprehensive understanding of their…
