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

  • Abe Mortimer, Vancouver’s Favourite Umpire

    On September 2, 1965, 75-year old Abe Mortimer (1889-1969) bellowed “Pl-a-a-y B-a-a-w-w-l” before an audience of more than 2,500 at Capilano Stadium in Vancouver to kick off a two-inning Old-Timers’ baseball game. Abe had broken his leg in three places...
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Search the collection

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

Featured videos

  • Vince Ready Interview: Labour Arbitrator & Mediator

    Vince Ready is a legendary labour relations practitioner who has arbitrated and mediated several thousand disputes across Canada in all types of industries. Vince was born in Renfrew Ontario and lived on a farm with his parents and siblings until...
  • Chris Allnutt Interview: Fighting for Healthcare Workers

    Chris Allnutt’s deep desire to fight for people who can’t fight for themselves and make the world a better place led him to work in the labour movement. This interview was conducted by Rod Mickleburgh on May 7, 2024 in...
  • Anne Harvey Interview: Communicator, Health Labour Negotiator

    Anne Harvey was born in a tenement in Manchester, U.K. Her father made patterns out of wood for casting metal parts, and her mother sewed clothes piecework as he built his pattern making business. Anne moved to Canada with her...

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

Although funding for projects is often raised outside of the trade union movement, the BC Labour Heritage Centre relies upon the ongoing financial support 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