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Royal metal : the people, times and trains of New Westminster bridge
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6501
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Sanford, Barrie, 1948-
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Call Number
- 971.133 SAN
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0973560207
- Call Number
- 971.133 SAN
- Author
- Sanford, Barrie, 1948-
- Place of Publication
- Vancouver, B.C.
- Publisher
- National Railway Historical Society, British Columbia Chapter
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Printer
- Friesen Corporation
- Physical Description
- viii, 246 p. : ill., maps ; 29 cm.
- Geographic Access
- New Westminster
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
Schara Tzedeck Cemetery, 2345 Marine Drive (New Westminster)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport3078
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 64067
- Meeting Date
- 27-May-2002
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 15
- Item No.
- 4
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 64067
- Meeting Date
- 27-May-2002
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 15
- Item No.
- 4
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Schara Tzedeck Cemetery 2345 Marine Drive (New Westminster)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport3537
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 63597
- Meeting Date
- 13-Aug-2001
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 20
- Item No.
- 6
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 63597
- Meeting Date
- 13-Aug-2001
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 20
- Item No.
- 6
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
![Slush in New Westminster, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1606-1.jpg?width=280)
Slush in New Westminster
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95748
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of the aftermath of a snow and rain storm in New Westminster. Photographs depict pedestrians stepping through, navigating, and shovelling large amounts of slush on the city streets.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-1606
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of the aftermath of a snow and rain storm in New Westminster. Photographs depict pedestrians stepping through, navigating, and shovelling large amounts of slush on the city streets.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a December 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-1606-1: "The mural at Sixth and Blackford Streets in New West seems to be taking great delight in the misery of pedestrians as they negotiate the heavy slush and water left behind by Saturday's snow and rain storm."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1606-2: "Al Hoegler, who owns the Westminster Deli, clears the storm drain in front of his store in an attempt to relieve the flooding."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1606-3: "Pedestrians walking in uptown New West had to tread carefully to avoid water and slush puddles left behind by Saturday's snow and rain storm."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1606-4: "A window display on Sixth St. advertising Carribean cruises beckons pedestrians in uptown New West as they trudge through Saturday's snow and rain storm."
Images
![Slush in New Westminster, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1606-1.jpg)
Update on Activities of the Burnaby/New Westminster Task Force on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport226
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 66939
- Meeting Date
- 16-Apr-2007
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 66939
- Meeting Date
- 16-Apr-2007
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Update on Activities of the Burnaby - New Westminster Task Force on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport983
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 66167
- Meeting Date
- 24-Oct-2005
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 66167
- Meeting Date
- 24-Oct-2005
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Update on the Activities of the Burnaby-New Westminster Task Force on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport55886
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72258
- Meeting Date
- 23-Mar-2009
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72258
- Meeting Date
- 23-Mar-2009
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Yi Fao : speaking through memory : a history of New Westminster's Chinese community 1858-1980
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1421
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Wolf, Jim
- Owen, Patricia, 1978-
- Edition
- 1st ed.
- Publication Date
- c2008
- Call Number
- 971.133 WOL
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 9781894974400
- 1894974409
- Call Number
- 971.133 WOL
- Edition
- 1st ed.
- Author
- Wolf, Jim
- Owen, Patricia, 1978-
- Place of Publication
- Victoria
- Publisher
- Heritage House
- Publication Date
- c2008
- Physical Description
- 141 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--New Westminster--History
- Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--New Westminster
- New Westminster (B.C.)--History
- New Westminster (B.C.)
- Biography
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 141).
Burnaby Lake Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark821
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- In 1966 Burnaby Lake was identified as a key potential regional park in the GVRD ’s Regional Park Plan for the Lower Mainland. The lake was to be developed for nature study, strolling, trail riding, canoeing, sightseeing and picnicking. It was formally recognized as a regional nature park in 1979, at which time the GVRD assumed management of the park through a lease agreement with the City of Burnaby. In 1993 Burnaby Lake was selected by the City of Burnaby to be included in Greater Vancouver ’s Green Zone, and was identified as a key component of the GVRD ’s Park and Outdoor Recreation System (PORS) for the Burrard/Peninsula/Richmond sector, which includes Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, and Richmond.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Images
Stride Avenue Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark845
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The interurban link between New Westminster and Vancouver stimulated the early settlement of Stride Avenue. Infilling of the area took place in the early 1950s and the pace of development had slowed considerably by 1970. Duplexes became a popular feature in the decade between 1970 and 1980 and in the late 1980s, the neighbourhood was incorporated into the Edmonds Town Centre South plan.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Images
Tram memories : in celebration of the restoration of Interurban 1223
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5863
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Publication Date
- c2007
- Call Number
- 388.460971 TRA
interurban to run between Vancouver and New Westminster
rattled and swayed its way through a thickly treed area. The few settlers who lived in the
vicinity of the tracks came out to welcome this beginning of a mechanical public transit
system which would be known as the Central Park tramline. Before
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 388.460971 TRA
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Contributor
- Friends of Interurban 1223
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2007
- Printer
- City of Burnaby Printshop
- Physical Description
- 91 p. : ill., map ;,20 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Electric railroads
- Local transit
- Street-railroads
- Transportation
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Name Access
- British Columbia Electric Railway Company
- Notes
- Editor : Pixie McGeachie
Images
Digital Books
Burnaby's heritage : an inventory of buildings and structures
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5437
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Luxton, Donald, 1954-
- Wolf, Jim
- Edition
- Rev.
- Publication Date
- 2011
- c2007
- Call Number
- 971.133 LUX COPY 1
Fraser River, it started a human stampede
to the newly incorporated Crown Colony of British
Columbia in 1858. The development of Burnaby
was sparked by creation of the City of New
Westminster in 1860 and the subsequent arrival of
the transcontinental railway and incorporation of
the City of Vancouver
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282893
- Call Number
- 971.133 LUX COPY 1
- Edition
- Rev.
- Author
- Luxton, Donald, 1954-
- Wolf, Jim
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2011
- c2007
- Physical Description
- 157 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Architecture
- Historic buildings
- Buildings
- Historic sites
- Subjects
- Buildings
- Buildings - Heritage
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- 2 copies held: copy 1.
Digital Books
Land of promise : Robert Burnaby's letters from colonial British Columbia, 1858-1863
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5465
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- c2002
- Call Number
- 971.1 BUR COPY 3
...............................................83
1860 Hydrographic Chart with Burnaby Lake..........................................84
City of New Westminster, c.1861.............................................................84
New Westminster, Government Buildings, c.1862.....................................85
New Westminster, Columbia Street
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282850
- 9780969282853
- Call Number
- 971.1 BUR COPY 3
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2002
- Physical Description
- 199 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby, Robert--Correspondence
- Merchants--British Columbia--Correspondence
- British Columbia--History--1849-1871
- Burnaby (B.C.)
- Biography
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 190) and index.
- 3 copies held: copy 3.
Digital Books
In the shadow by the sea : recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5173
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Call Number
- 971.133 PRI Copy 2
OF BIJRN'.HY"S URNET llllUG[
�1860 Hydrographic Chart shows the
location of the proposed Government
Reserve at Barnet.
C.1870 map shows the surveyed
North Road connecting New
Westminster to Burrard Inlet and the
surrounding District Lots.
8 In the Shadow by the Sea
RECOLLE.CTIOINS OF 8 UANA.8Y'S IIARNET
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282885
- Call Number
- 971.133 PRI Copy 2
- Contributor
- Wolf, Jim
- Pride, Harry, 1925-
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Physical Description
- 246 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Industries--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
- Barnet Marine Park--Burnaby, B.C.
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Road
- Burrard Inlet
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 246) and index.
- "edited by Harry Pride and Jim Wolf"
- Copy 2 of 2
Digital Books
Life with the Moores of Hart House : pioneer days on Burnaby's Deer Lake
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1179
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- 2002
- Call Number
- 971.1 PRI COPY 1
and the small,
beautiful lake as a perfect setting for a summer home, or even permanent residence.
Thus it was that in 1910, New Westminster realtor, Frederick Hart, whose family had
been enjoying the use of a cottage on their Deer Lake property, decided to build an elegant
family home there, which he named
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282877
- Call Number
- 971.1 PRI COPY 1
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby, Community Heritage Commission
- Publication Date
- 2002
- Physical Description
- iv, 92 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.
- Inscription
- "To Burnaby Village Museum / Harry Pride", handwritten in ink on title page.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Moore family
- Hart House (Burnaby, B.C.)--History
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Pioneers
- Historic buildings--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Biography
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 87) and index.
- Signed by the author.
- 2 copies held : copy 1.
Digital Books
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription29
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2021
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 130m of textual records and other material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2021
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 130m of textual records and other material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FOIPPA
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
- History
- The City of Burnaby covers an area of approximately 98 square kilometers between the cities of Vancouver to the west, and Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, Burrard Inlet to the north, and the Fraser River to the south. The municipality derived its name from Robert Burnaby, a prominent businessman and advisor to Sir James Douglas, the first Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Burnaby’s early development was closely tied to the development of the City of New Westminster. New Westminster became British Columbia’s capital in 1859, the year after the British Government proclaimed the establishment of British Columbia. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Engineers began exploring Burnaby to establish military defenses and secure natural resources. This involved the construction of a road linking New Westminster to Burrard Inlet for military purposes, which is present-day North Road. At this time, individuals and families began settling in Burnaby and were largely involved in agricultural and logging activities. Burnaby developed slowly until 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended into Vancouver from the Port Moody terminal, causing a dramatic increase in traffic between New Westminster and Vancouver. To meet the new transportation demands, a tramline was built in 1891 connecting the two urban centers along what is now Kingsway. The creation and location of the tramline induced property owners to begin subdividing and selling their lands as early as October 1891. The property taxes the roughly 200 residents paid at this time went directly to the provincial government in Victoria. No local services were provided in turn, which prompted the formation of a committee to petition the provincial government for a municipal charter. As a result, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was incorporated by letters patent on September 22, 1892. Burnaby’s first Council was elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892 and consisted of Reeve Charles R. Shaw and councillors William Brenchley, Arthur De Windt Hazard, L. Claude Hill, William McDermott, and John Woolard.* The first formal Council election was conducted three months later. Nicolai Shou became the first elected reeve of Burnaby by ballot. Council met at various locations, including the tramline’s power house, private homes, and offices until the first municipal hall was built at Kingsway and Edmonds in 1899. Council is ultimately responsible for the government of the City of Burnaby. The Mayor (formally called “Reeve” prior to 1968) and Council are elected by the residents of Burnaby to represent them in decisions with respect to the provision of public services and facilities. Additionally, the Mayor represents the citizens of Burnaby at various public functions and events. Burnaby was without Council representation during most of the Great Depression and part of the Second World War. Council was disbanded on December 31, 1932 as a result of financial difficulties. The Provincial Government appointed a Commissioner to take over the duties of Reeve and Council beginning in 1933. This system of government was retained until January 1943, when Burnaby residents could once again elect their local government officials. The following individuals have served as Mayor (or Reeve) of Burnaby: Charles R. Shaw 1892 Nicolai C. Schou 1893-1903 Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905 Peter Byrne 1906-1910 John W. Weart 1911-1912 Duncan C. McGregor 1913 Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918 Thomas Sanderson 1919-1920 Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929 Charles C. Bell 1927 William L. Burdick 1929 William A. Pritchard 1930-1932 William Tate Wilson 1943-1944 George A. Morrison 1945-1949 William R. Beamish 1950-1953 Charles W. MacSorley 1954-1957 Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968 Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973 Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979 David M. Mercier 1979-1981 William A. Lewarne 1981-1987 William J. Copeland 1987-1996 Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002 Derek R. Corrigan 2002-2018 Mike Hurley 2018-present The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby: John Bennett 1933 John Mahony 1933-1934 Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940* R.S. Gilchrist 1941-1942* B.C. Bracewell 1942* *Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner. Closely associated with the functions of Council is the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the statutory duties of the municipal clerk including the preparation and preservation of all minutes books and records of Council business, custody of City bylaws, administrative support to Council and its Committees, preparation of Council and Committee agendas and the conduct of local government elections. The Clerk’s Office is the communications link between Council and other City Departments and the general public, and provides assistance and advice to citizens with respect to Council and Council Committee processes, reporting procedures and decisions. At the time of Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892, the municipal Clerk had the responsibility to attend all meetings of Council, keep all records of Council, prepare and alter voters’ lists, conduct Council elections, collect revenue, as well as having the responsibility to prepare balance sheets and audits. An advertisement in a local newspaper for the appointment of the Clerk dated February 1, 1905 states the “united offices of clerk, collector and assessor” receive a salary of $65.00 per month. Originally the treasurer, assessor and records manager for the corporation, the Clerk eventually became the municipal Council liaison. The primary functions of the City Clerk over time have been the keeping of minutes for the meetings of City Council and related bodies; keeping the records of the City of Burnaby as required by the Local Government Act (formally Municipal Act); keeping all records related to City Council decision making; carrying out correspondence on behalf of Council; assembling voters’ lists and carrying out elections; providing communication, information, and public relations services, including responsibility for civic ceremonies/events, and the municipal archives. The following individuals have served as City Clerk: Alexander Philip 1892–1894 Alfred Smither 1894–1899 F.J.H. Shirley 1899–1901 Arthur De Windt Haszard 1901–1902 Walter J. Walker 1902–1905 Benjamin George Walker 1905–1908 Charles Thomas Saunders 1908–1911 W.M. Griffiths 1911–1912 Arthur G. Moore 1912–1933 Charles Boyer Brown 1933–1959 John H. Shaw 1959–1973* James Hudson 1974–1984 Charles A. Turpin 1984–1995 Debbie R. Comis 1995–2011 Anne Skipsey (Acting) 2011-2012 Maryann Manuel (Acting) 2012-2014 Dennis Back 2014-2018 Kate O'Connell 2018-2020 Blanka Zeinabova 2020-2022 *Deputy City Clerk T. Ward took over many of the Clerk’s duties from 1972 to 1973 due to Shaw’s ill health during these years.
- Formats
- Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- City of Burnaby
- Notes
- Title based on creators of fonds
Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19349
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Honourable Raj Chouhan Location of Interview: Residence of Honourable Raj Chouhan Interview Date: December 2, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (00:49:21) Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant and the organizations that he became involved with. Honourable Raj Chouhan recalls how he arrived in Burnaby with his family in 1973 and that his family worked in farming. Chouhan imparts his first hand experiences as a new immigrant working as a labourer in the farming industry and describes the unsafe and unfair working conditions that he and migrant workers faced. Chouhan conveys how this experience lead him to become an activist for better working conditions for migrant workers. This lead Chouhan and others to form the Canadian Farm Workers Union in 1980. Chouhan recollects his experiences flying from India to Canada with his wife, his first impressions after arriving in Vancouver and driving to Burnaby and what he brought with him. Chouhan explains his connections to Burnaby. Members of Chouhan's wife's family immgrated to Canada in 1957 and his wife and her three brothers joined them in 1970. Chouhan's father in law, Hardial Singh Grewal immigrated in 1957 and became president of the Sikh temple in New Westminster. Hardial Singh Grewal worked in a lumber mill in Vancouver and eventually bought a house in Burnaby. Chouhan married to his wife at the Sikh temple in New Westminster and lived in Burnaby for a period before moving to New Westminster where they could find more affordable housing. Chouhan shares that he first worked as a farm labourer in Abbotsford and then found a job in the sawmill which paid more. Chouhan describes the extreme racism and discrimination that he and other immigrants faced which lead to the formation of the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma. Chouhan describes this organization that he was a part of and the Canadian Farm Workers Union that were both formed in Burnaby. Chouhan shares that he moved to Victoria in 1988 to serve on the Hospital Employee's Union and moved back to the mainland in 1993 and returned to Burnaby in 2001. Chouhan reflects on the history of South Asian immigration in Canada, how many of the migrants settled in the lower mainland including Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver establishing temples in Vancouver and New Westminster which became the centre for the South Asian community. He conveys how earlier occupations were limited to farming and millwork and how over time employment opportunities and education have broadened but there is still work to do. He imparts how second generation Canadians’ experiences differ from first generations providing examples of his own daughters’ and the occupations that they are working in. Chouhan provides his insights into the South Asian Canadian experience imparting “We make history every day and that history needs to be recorded and learned from.."... “People from different communities, different backgrounds who lived in Burnaby have contributed so much and South Asians are just like another community and participated in all aspects of social life, cultural, religious, economy. I'm so proud of our community, our forefathers who had that vision to fight for our rights. I'm inspired by people who struggled so much to gain basic rights, like the right to vote". Chouhan refers to these first immigrants as “Gadri Babbas” “revolutionary old people” who were also the main motivation that lead to India becoming a free country in 1947 and for fighting for basic rights here in Canada and how they made their contributions for future generations. Chouhan expresses what he imparts to students “Do not forget your past... if you remember your past then you are much more knowledgeable. Then we know what we need for the future. If we don't know the past, we don't know what the future is going to be like. To make a better future, you have to learn from the past and improve".
- History
- Interviewee biography: Honourable Raj Chouhan was born in the city of Ludhiana in the Province of Punjab in India and immigrated to Canada in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Raj's family settled in Burnaby. Raj grew up in Burnaby and attended schoool. Honourable Raj Chouhan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on December 7, 2020. Honourable Chouhan is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism and has served as a director of the Hospital Employees' Union, the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Honourable Chouhan has also served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003 and has taught courses in Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and Collective Bargaining since 1987. Interviewer biography: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
- Migration
- Organizations - Unions
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Agriculture
- Agriculture - Farms
- Government - Provincial Government
- Government
- Names
- Chouhan, Raj
- British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism
- Sharma, Dr. Hari Prakash
- Grewal, Hardial Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hospital Employees Union
- Khalsa Diwan Society
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0004_002.mp3![Wayne Right, New Westminster's Citizen of the Year, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1591.jpg?width=280)
Wayne Right, New Westminster's Citizen of the Year
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95733
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Wayne Wright, the New Westminster Citizen of the Year. Wright poses at the New Westminster Quay and makes the gesture of a viewfinder toward the camera.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-1591
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Wayne Wright, the New Westminster Citizen of the Year. Wright poses at the New Westminster Quay and makes the gesture of a viewfinder toward the camera.
- Subjects
- Officials - Mayors and Reeves
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a February 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "New Westminster's Citizen of the Year, Wayne Wright, who brought the Festival of Trees and the world's tallest tin man to the city, envisions the view the giant metal soldier will have when he's installed at his new perch at the east end of the Quay Public Market."
Images
![Wayne Right, New Westminster's Citizen of the Year, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1591.jpg)
![Alpha Secondary basketball game, [2003] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1816.jpg?width=280)
Alpha Secondary basketball game
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96111
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2003]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior girls' high school basketball game between Alpha Secondary and the New Westminster Hyacks at Alpha Secondary School. Alpha's player is keeping the ball away from two New Westminster players.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2003]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-1816
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior girls' high school basketball game between Alpha Secondary and the New Westminster Hyacks at Alpha Secondary School. Alpha's player is keeping the ball away from two New Westminster players.
- Subjects
- Sports - Basketball
- Persons - Students
- Names
- Alpha Secondary School
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a January 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Alpha Aztecs' Daniella Lucarino tries to keep the ball away from New Westminster Hyacks' Norma Roberts and another defender in Senior Girls' high school basketball action, Wednesday at Alpha Secondary."
- Geographic Access
- Parker Street
- Street Address
- 4600 Parker Street
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
Images
![Alpha Secondary basketball game, [2003] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1816.jpg)
![Burnaby Central basketball game, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1635-1.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Central basketball game
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95811
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of a basketball game between Burnaby Central Secondary School and New Westminster.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-1635
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of a basketball game between Burnaby Central Secondary School and New Westminster.
- Subjects
- Sports - Basketball
- Persons - Students
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a February 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Burnaby Central's Rachel Cherkosh knocks the ball away from New Westminster Hyacks' Kim McMullen in final action of the Burnaby-New Westminster Secondary Schools Athletic Association. The Hyacks won the game, 77-41, and advance to the Lower Mainland Championship, starting Saturday at Burnaby Central."
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4939 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Burnaby Central basketball game, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1635-1.jpg)