Welcome to the BC Labour Heritage Centre

Our non-profit organization preserves, documents, and presents the rich history of working people in British Columbia.

FEATURED

  • Solidarity City: The Mac-Paps Come Home

    In the late hours of February 10, 1939, a crowd of around 9,000 Vancouverites gathered at the train station on Cordova Street, eagerly anticipating the return of 31 “Mac-Paps” – Canadian volunteers who fought against fascism as part of the...
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Search the collection

Historical artifacts, booklets, videos, podcasts, plaques and more.

Suggested searches

On to Ottawa Trek
Operation Solidarity
Ginger Goodwin
Teachers’ strikes
Health and safety
Asbestos
Indigenous labour
Women labour

Popular resources for…

Unions & members

Save Your Union’s History: PDF Handbook

Oral History Interviews

Get Involved

Researchers

Articles

Historical materials

Booklets

Teachers

Teaching materials

Labour Heritage Moments

Podcast

Featured videos

  • Ken Novakowski Interview Pt. 2: Fighting for Teachers

    Ken Novakowski was born and raised in a small farming community in Alberta, eighth of ten children. He taught high school social studies and history, later served as president of the BC Teachers’ Federation, and after retirement chaired the BC...

  • Ken Novakowski Interview Pt.1: Progressive Politics

    Ken Novakowski was born and raised in a small farming community in Alberta, eighth of ten children. He taught high school social studies and history, served as president of the BC Teachers’ Federation, and chaired the BC Labour Heritage Centre....

  • Rod Mickleburgh Interview Pt. 2: The Labour Beat

    This two-part interview is with Rod Mickleburgh, a labour reporter who covered major labour events in British Columbia in the 1970s and 1980s. During his journalism career, he covered the labour beat at the Vancouver Sun, The Province, CBC National...

Download the Walking Tours App

Learn about the workers who built British Columbia, one story at a time.

The BC Labour History Walking Tours app guides you through sites of significance that commemorate the importance of labour unions, individuals, collective actions and much more.

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Sponsors

The BC Labour Heritage Centre is grateful for the financial support and solidarity of its sponsoring unions in order to continue its operations from year to year.

BC Federation of Labour
BC Teachers’ Federation
British Columbia Building and Construction Trades Council
Canadian Union of Public Employees-BC
Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 15
Hospital Employees’ Union
United Steelworkers

Visit by transit

The BC Labour Heritage Centre can be reached via public transit. We are located at 102, 3920 Norland Avenue, Burnaby BC. Our hours are 9 am to 3 pm, Monday – Thursday.

  • If coming from the Expo Line, disembark at Metrotown Station and take the #110 LOUGHEED STATION or #144 SFU to the stop at Ledger Avenue and Sprott Street.
  • If coming from the Millennium Line, disembark at Sperling-Burnaby Lake Station and take the #110 METROTOWN STATION or #144 METROTOWN STATION to the stop at Norland Avenue and Sprott Street.
  • The Centre can also be reached by bus via the #123 or #133 along Canada Way. The Centre is a 350-metre walk from the bus stops on Canada Way.