"Elections" found 93 records | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: [1932]-1936

Length: 0:11:12

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).

Date Range: [1932]-1936

Photo Info: Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005

Length: 0:11:12

Names: Darling, Gordon; Phillips, Turnie

Subjects: Organizations

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: July / August 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.

Total Tracks: 9

Total Length: 1:17:56

Interviewee Name: O'Brien, Harry

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with W.H.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_8.mp3

Election Results

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport47785

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48023

Meeting Date: 12-Dec-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48023

Meeting Date: 12-Dec-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48023

12-Dec-1949 Meeting Minutes

Polling Places for Municipal Election

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport47831

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 47968

Meeting Date: 7-Nov-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 47968

Meeting Date: 7-Nov-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 47968

7-Nov-1949 Meeting Minutes

Closure of Municipal Offices to Allow Municipal Employees the Required Three Hours in Which to Vote According to Dominion Elections Act

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48051

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 47752

Meeting Date: 27-Jun-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 47752

Meeting Date: 27-Jun-1949

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 47752

27-Jun-1949 Meeting Minutes

CCF MLA's in their seats in the B.C. Legislature

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3699

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1949 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Members of the Legislative Assembly at their seats inside of the British Columbia Parliament buildings in Victoria. Photograph is taken inside the legislature. Members are identified as; Frank Calder, Rupert Haggen, Leo Nimsick, Frank Mitchel…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Members of the Legislative Assembly at their seats inside of the British Columbia Parliament buildings in Victoria. Photograph is taken inside the legislature. Members are identified as; Frank Calder, Rupert Haggen, Leo Nimsick, Frank Mitchell, Arthur Turner, Harold Winch, Ernest Winch, and Ran Harding.

Subjects: Government - Provincial Government; Officials - Elected Officials; Organizations - Political Parties

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"; Winch, Harold Edward; Calder, Frank; Haggen, Rupert; Nimsick, Leo; Mitchell, Frank; Turner, Arthur; Harding, Ran; Co-operative Commonwealth Federation "CCF"

Accession Code: BV013.12.56

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1949 and 1956]

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Portley, John S.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten annotations on recto of photograph provide identification and read from left to right: "Frank Calder_Rupert Hagen_Leo Nimsick_Frank Mitchell / Arthur Turner_Harold Winch_Ernest Winch_Ran Harding / CCF MLA's / in their seats in the B.C. Legislature"; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11; Note on verso of photograph reads: "Our fighting '8' in the BC Legislature : / Were we downhearted? / Yes & No / HW"; Stamp in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "John S. Portley [sic]"

Images

CCF MLA's in their seats in the B.C. Legislature, [between 1949 and 1956] thumbnail

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.

History: Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Events - Festivals; Government; Government - Federal Government; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Political Parties; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"; Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"; Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); Westminster Bible Chapel; Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3

Election Returns

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48285

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48703

Meeting Date: 28-Dec-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48703

Meeting Date: 28-Dec-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48703

28-Dec-1948 Meeting Minutes

Election Returns - Burnaby School Board Debenture Bylaw 1948

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48304

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48697

Meeting Date: 20-Dec-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48697

Meeting Date: 20-Dec-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48697

20-Dec-1948 Meeting Minutes

Election Results - Burnaby District Improvement Bylaw 1948

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48518

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48480

Meeting Date: 30-Aug-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48480

Meeting Date: 30-Aug-1948

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48480

30-Aug-1948 Meeting Minutes

Burnaby Non-Partisan Association pamphlet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65802

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 p. (pamphlet)

Scope and Content: Item is a one-page pamphlet introducing the Burnaby Non-Partisan candidates running in the December 18, 1948 election. Candidates for Council; George D. McLean, F. Marven Stephens, James G. West. Candidates for School Board; Walter J. Morton, S.N. Noble, Dr. R. E. Sargent.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Ephemera subseries

Physical Description: 1 p. (pamphlet)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 42672

Accession Number: BHS1989-16

Scope and Content: Item is a one-page pamphlet introducing the Burnaby Non-Partisan candidates running in the December 18, 1948 election. Candidates for Council; George D. McLean, F. Marven Stephens, James G. West. Candidates for School Board; Walter J. Morton, S.N. Noble, Dr. R. E. Sargent.

Media Type: Textual Record

Results of Municipal Election

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48862

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 49166

Meeting Date: 29-Dec-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 49166

Meeting Date: 29-Dec-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 49166

29-Dec-1947 Meeting Minutes

Polling Places for Municipal Election

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48920

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 49115

Meeting Date: 24-Nov-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 49115

Meeting Date: 24-Nov-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 49115

24-Nov-1947 Meeting Minutes

Amendment to the Municipal Elections Act to Provide for the Right to Vote for Persons of British East Indian and Chinese Origin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport49056

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48965

Meeting Date: 4-Aug-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48965

Meeting Date: 4-Aug-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48965

4-Aug-1947 Meeting Minutes

Resolution of the Union of BC Municipalities Proposing and Amendment to the Elections Act to Provide for the Right of Persons of British Indian Origin to Vote

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport49072

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48947

Meeting Date: 14-Jul-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 48947

Meeting Date: 14-Jul-1947

Format: Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 48947

14-Jul-1947 Meeting Minutes

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory544

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1990

Length: 00:03:38

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

Date Range: 1947-1990

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:03:38

Names: Liberal Party

Subjects: Elections; Events - Parties

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%208.mp3

History of Burnaby and vicinity

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6890

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Green, George, 1872-1955

Publication Date: 1947

Call Number: 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1

1 image 1 digital book

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Digital Reference Collection; Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV017.17.1

Call Number: 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1

Author: Green, George, 1872-1955

Place of Publication: [S.l.]

Publisher: [s.n.]

Publication Date: 1947

Printer: Shoemaker , McLean & Veitch

Physical Description: 233 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.

Inscription: "Presented To my valued fried Rev. D. W. Scott. a former neighbor at Capitol Hill with best wishes of the author George Green Victoria March 1 1947" [handwritten in black ink on page opposing front pastedown] "BMMM-WU SIGNED 1st ED 50.00" [handwritten in pencil on page opposing front pastedown]

Library Subject (LOC): Burnaby (B.C.)--History; Burnaby (B.C.); Biography

Name Access: Green, George

Notes: Autographed by author; "By George Green, pioneer resident of Burnaby, and an ex-Councillor. Charter Member of the British Columbia Historical Association, Vancouver Branch, and an Executive Member."; Copy 2 of 2