Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Burnaby Fire Department rescue truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1607

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1976]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of four unidentified firemen gathered beside Burnaby Fire Department's Rescue 1 truck (1976 Ford C 600 Rescue unit). The truck's side compartments are visible, housing fire extinguishers and other equipment. The truck appears to be parked at fire hall no. 1 at Sperling and Canada Way.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of four unidentified firemen gathered beside Burnaby Fire Department's Rescue 1 truck (1976 Ford C 600 Rescue unit). The truck's side compartments are visible, housing fire extinguishers and other equipment. The truck appears to be parked at fire hall no. 1 at Sperling and Canada Way.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Transportation - Fire Trucks

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Geographic Access: Canada Way; Sperling Avenue

Accession Code: BV002.10.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [after 1976]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Related Material: For another photograph of the rescue truck taken from a different angle, see BV002.10.4

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Burnaby Fire Department rescue truck, [after 1976] thumbnail

Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19607

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and …

1 image

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: 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Kanwal Singh Neel Interview Date: July 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 32 sec. Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and career, how his three-year grandson has been an inspiration and how important it is to educate yourself in different ways. 00:06:48 - 00:19:02 Kanwal talks about the diversity in the schools that he’s encountered over the years as a student and as an educator and shares his experiences getting hired as an educator on public television and being known as "the math guy". 00:19:03 - 00:46:39 Kanwal talks about the “Friends of Simon” tutoring out-reach program and his involvement. 00:26:40 - 00:30:24 Kanwal shares his experiences officiating the Canada Summer Games, the Harry Jerome Track Classic, the Commonwealth Games and other world class sporting events. 00:30:25 - 00:38:58 Kanwal describes a typical day while working at Simon Fraser University as Associate Director of Professional Programs, as a sports official and his involvement with Friends of Simon. Kanwal speaks about the importance of finding a balance between staying connected, finding your purpose and carrying on the passions that you enjoy. Kanwal talks about some of his favourite places in Burnaby including Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake and Central Park. 00:38:59 - 00:43:31 Kanwal talks about the changes that he’s seen in the lower mainland over his life time including; diminishing agricultural land, the fishing industry, public transportation, housing and retail infrastructure and homelessness. 00:43:32 - 00:50:32 Kanwal talks about his involvement with the Punjabi Cultural Association, the introduction of Punjabi language courses in public schools and his involvement in a Bhangra event. Kanwal imparts a final message to youth of today emphasizing the importance of, building relationships, giving back to your community, learning through education and being respectful of your own journey and others.

History: Interviewee biography: Kanwal Singh Neel was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1953 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1969. For the first few weeks after immigrating the family stayed at the Sikh Temple on Second Avenue before moving into a house which they rented. Kanwal attended Kitsilano Secondary School and later transferred to Steveston High School when his family moved to Richmond. In 1972, Kanwal and friends formed a bhangra group "Punjab Cultural Association" and in 1974 they performed at the World Exposition in Spokane, Washington. The group performed at various venues including the Pacific National Exhibition and other cities in the Province. In 1973, Kanwal was an officiate during the Canada Summer Games at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Kanwal obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from University of British Columbia in computer science and mathematics and got his first teaching job in 1977. In 1978, he was an officiate of the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the next ten years he devoted himself to becoming an educator and during this time he became more involved with the B.C. Math Teachers Association. Kanwal and his wife Nancy married in 1982 and have two daughters. In the early 1990's, Kanwal joined Simon Fraser University as a faculty associate to work, train and mentor student teachers. Kanwal became President of the B.C. Math Teachers Association and travelled throughout the province to help solve issues being faced by students. In 1993, he co-hosted a TV show "Math Shop" on The Knowledge Network and he later co-authored a textbook series titled "Math Makes Sense". Kanwal continued to advance his knowledge in the field of mathematics obtaining a Doctorate from Simon Fraser University in 2008. Kanwal developed his doctoral work in Haida Gwaii, studying the mathematics that the Haida peoples used in day to day life, applying the applications and integrating the mathematics concepts with their cultural knowledge. Kanwal also worked with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and the Stó:lō Nation in helping to develop resources for them. Kanwal has been recognized with various awards and honours including being awarded an honorary doctorate by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and in 2017 as an inductee in the Sports Wall of Fame in Richmond for his outstanding contribution to amateur sport as an International Athletics Official. Since retirement, Kanwal continues to be involved in a project at Simon Fraser University "Friends of Simon" where university students go out and mentor and tutor immigrant and refugee children from South Asia and Africa and other countries. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - South Asian Canadians; Education; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Events - Competitions; Housing; Performances

Names: Neel, Kanwal Singh; Simon Fraser University; Friends of Simon; Canada Summer Games; Swangard Stadium; Punjabi Cultural Association

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Central Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.11

Date: [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4473

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:25 min)

Scope and Content: Track 7: This portion of the recording pertains to changes in Burnaby since Janet’s childhood, and her continuing connection to the community and its values. She also describes her family’s shopping routines from the 1940s and 1950s, which centred on the Super Value at Canada Way and Smith St., and…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:25 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Janet White Date of interview: May 10, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 8 Total length of all Tracks: 0:31:34

Scope and Content: Track 7: This portion of the recording pertains to changes in Burnaby since Janet’s childhood, and her continuing connection to the community and its values. She also describes her family’s shopping routines from the 1940s and 1950s, which centred on the Super Value at Canada Way and Smith St., and the Hudson’s Bay store downtown. When Woodward’s and Sears opened, the family also shopped there occasionally.

History: Recording of an interview with Janet White recording by Tom Gooden on May 10 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores

Names: Gooden, Tom; White, Janet

Geographic Access: Canada Way; Smith Avenue

Accession Code: BV017.45.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 7, [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0001_007.mp3

Douglas Road School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11136

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 19, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Douglas Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 21, of Blocks 1-5 inc. 11 & 12 of the subd. of north half of Lot 80, Group 1, New Westminster District".

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Douglas Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 21, of Blocks 1-5 inc. 11 & 12 of the subd. of north half of Lot 80, Group 1, New Westminster District".

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Douglas Road School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4861 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV003.83.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: April 19, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Note in black ink on verso of plan reads: "1747"; Oath on plan reads: "I, D.G. McGugan..." "...and did person- ally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 3rd day of April 1915"; signed by D.J. McGugan, notarized by "H.A. Eastman", sworn "...19th day of April 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C.."

Images

Douglas Road School site, April 19, 1915 thumbnail

Schou Street School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11138

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 12, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Schou Street School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 1-12 inc. of Block 47, of subd. of Blocks 8-12 and 15-49 inclusive, Lot 69, Group 1" "New Westminster District";

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Schou Street School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 1-12 inc. of Block 47, of subd. of Blocks 8-12 and 15-49 inclusive, Lot 69, Group 1" "New Westminster District";

Creator: Burnett, Geoffrey K.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Schou Street School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Canada Way; Grandview Highway; Gilmore Avenue

Street Address: 4054 Norfolk Street

Accession Code: BV003.83.17

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: April 12, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cascade-Schou Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Oath on plan reads: "I, Geoffrey K. Burnett...did person- ally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 12th day of April 1915"; signed by Geoffrey K. Burnett, notarized by "S.F. Mark", sworn "..12th day.. April 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C.; ."handwritten on back, "1751"; two school buildings are shown on this blueprint, "Old School Building", "New School Building"

Images

Schou Street School site, April 12, 1915 thumbnail

Madill family and house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription832

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1911 (date of original), copied 1976

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large two storey brick house, with a balcony on the second floor, and striped awnings over the windows. There is a wire fence around the property. In front of the house is Madill family in and around a car; six children of various ages and a couple. A horse drawn wagon is on the lef…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large two storey brick house, with a balcony on the second floor, and striped awnings over the windows. There is a wire fence around the property. In front of the house is Madill family in and around a car; six children of various ages and a couple. A horse drawn wagon is on the left side of the photograph.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: Madill Family; Madill, Reverend W. H.

Geographic Access: Canada Way; Imperial Street

Accession Code: HV976.146.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1911 (date of original), copied 1976

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-06-27

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An annotation on the back of the photo reads, "Home of Rev. Madill at Canada Way + Imperial 1911."

Images

Madill family and house, 1911 (date of original), copied 1976 thumbnail

Fraser Valley Nurseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription575

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [191-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the grounds of the Fraser Valley Nurseries. The grounds are fenced with wire and wooden posts.There is a large sign on the left of the photograph that reads "The Fraser Valley Nurseries, Ltd." There are a few barns or sheds on the nursery grounds. Behind the nursery can be seen a la…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the grounds of the Fraser Valley Nurseries. The grounds are fenced with wire and wooden posts.There is a large sign on the left of the photograph that reads "The Fraser Valley Nurseries, Ltd." There are a few barns or sheds on the nursery grounds. Behind the nursery can be seen a large body of water, most likely Burnaby Lake. The accession register and the inscription on the photograph identify the location as just off Douglas Road (now Canada Way). The annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Located off Canada Way."

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms

Names: Fraser Valley Nurseries

Geographic Access: Douglas Road; Canada Way; Nursery Street; Burnaby Lake

Accession Code: HV977.99.17

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [191-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lakeview-Mayfield Area

Related Material: For the right side of the two part panorama of the nurseries, see HV977.99.19

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Fraser Valley Nurseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription577

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [191-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the grounds of the Fraser Valley Nurseries. The grounds are fenced with wire and wooden posts. There are a few barns or sheds on the nursery grounds. Behind the nursery can be seen a large body of water, most likely Burnaby Lake. The accession register identifies the location as j…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the grounds of the Fraser Valley Nurseries. The grounds are fenced with wire and wooden posts. There are a few barns or sheds on the nursery grounds. Behind the nursery can be seen a large body of water, most likely Burnaby Lake. The accession register identifies the location as just off Douglas Road (now Canada Way). An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "View Fraser Valley Nurseries."

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms

Names: Fraser Valley Nurseries

Geographic Access: Douglas Road; Canada Way; Nursery Street; Burnaby Lake

Accession Code: HV977.99.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [191-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lakeview-Mayfield Area

Related Material: For the left side of the two part panorama of the nurseries, see HV977.99.17

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

B.R. Hill house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription740

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1910]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w photogravure ; 8.1 x 10.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is photogravure printed on paper of a house on the side of a path. The area appears wooded. The inscription and the accession register identify the house as the residence of Mr. and Mrs. B.R. Hill on Douglas Road, built about 1892, with an addition to the house built about 1905.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w photogravure ; 8.1 x 10.7 cm

Material Details: An annotation in pencil is written on the back of the photograph

Scope and Content: Photograph is photogravure printed on paper of a house on the side of a path. The area appears wooded. The inscription and the accession register identify the house as the residence of Mr. and Mrs. B.R. Hill on Douglas Road, built about 1892, with an addition to the house built about 1905.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Geographic Access: Canada Way; Douglas Road

Street Address: 4990 Canada Way

Accession Code: HV976.51.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1910]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-06-20

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…

1 document 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: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.

History: Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.