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

  • The Apple Box Belles

    For over 100 years, fruit from the orchards of BC's Okanagan Valley has fed families across Canada and the hard-working women in the fruit packing plants became known as the “Apple Box Belles”. While much has been written about Okanagan...
Illustration woman pointing to a looking glass with document behind

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

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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

  • Indigenous Longshoremen, Labour Heritage Moment Video

    The story of the "Bows and Arrows" Indigenous longshoremen is a prominent part of BC's labour history. A significant portion of British Columbia's early workforce until the late 19th century was Indigenous, excelling in various physically demanding jobs including mining,...

  • 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...

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.