stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge (Pattullo Bridge Replacement) | U/C

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

I think being forgotten is a shame and the lack of knowledge of any local history is one of the glaring shortcomings with British Columbians, and yet, for some reason that is celebrated and encouraged. "BC History is boring" is a comment I hear far too often.

"I don't know who that is" isn't the reason to change the name of something.

I even think that's just brushing aside the complaints and concerns of people bringing forward the name change as a resounding "I don't give a fuck".

Context is everything. Our province has a staggering history of mistreatment of non-whites (and even non-brits). We need to come to terms with that, and figure out how to deal with it, and this attitude of "who? whatever!" is not how we go about reconciliation.

At the same time, because of the systemic nature of the problem, almost every historical figure has what we would view as a problematic past. Do we just rename everything and ignore the positive contributions? If 50 years from now eating meat is no longer acceptable in society, are most of us cancelled because there are pictures of us enjoying hamburgers?

Pattullo was the 22nd premier of BC from 1933-1941.

During the Great Depression he expanded the role of government. He pretty much implemented Roosevelt's "New Deal" in British Columbia, mandating minimum wages, working hours, and establishing the BC Utilities Commission. All things I think most of us can be grateful for today.

He was one of the backers of having the federal government borrow money on behalf of the province because the feds could guarantee the repayment and get lower interest rates, and used such money to build the Pattullo bridge, employing hundreds during one of the provinces greatest economic hardships. FYI: Unemployment went from 2.6% in 1929 to 26% in 1932.

Thank you for the interesting information. Whether to rename a bridge, remove a statue, or otherwise change is a complex question and not one that can simply be reduced to "are they good or bad" in today's context. It is important to look at all aspects of the historical record and remember people in context of both today and yesterday. Would renaming the bridge be more appropriate for the people who make up Canadian society today? Perhaps. Should Pattullo be forgotten, or should he instead remembered in some form for both his strengths and his weaknesses? I would argue the latter.