Grace McCarthy Scrapbook Collection

Donated to the Simon Fraser University Library in 2011, the Grace McCarthy fonds (MsC 168) includes 89 scrapbooks compiled by McCarthy, the Social Credit MLA who became cabinet minister and deputy premier. These scrapbooks include photographs, correspondence, clippings, press releases, and other ephemera dating from 1960-1991 and provide a snapshot of her political career and contributions to British Columbia's political, cultural, and economic development.

Collection history

Grace McCarthy (1927-2017) was a successful business woman turned Social Credit politician whose work significantly impacted British Columbia and the Lower Mainland in particular. During her career, she served as a Vancouver Parks Commissioner, MLA and cabinet minister. As deputy premier, her portfolios included economic development, provincial secretary, human resources, social services, and tourism.

McCarthy's efforts to promote British Columbia made her well regarded across the political spectrum. As the first woman in Canada appointed deputy premier, she was a pioneer whose successes laid a foundation for future women in provincial politics. Her work in lobbying for and preparing the city for the World Exposition in 1986 ushered in Vancouver's modern era and changed the landscape of the city forever.

Highlights

Dating from 1960 to 1991, the scrapbooks document:

• Grace McCarthy's terms as MLA for the Vancouver-Little Mountain District, including speeches, transcripts, correspondence, and photographs
• Social Credit political campaigns, including meeting minutes, newsletters, and other publications
• Lobbying efforts to bring Expo '86 to Vancouver
• Beautification projects such as securing lighting of the Lions Gate Bridge
• Contributions to B.C. tourism including "Smile" and "Super, Natural British Columbia" campaigns and film promotion
• Establishment of the SkyTrain as a rapid transit system
• Economic development including the construction and opening of the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre
• Social welfare and child welfare policy work, including initiation of Canada's first toll-free help line for abused children

Acknowledgments

SFU Library gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre's B.C. History Digitization Program and the family of Grace McCarthy to make this collection available online.

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The Simon Fraser University Library is grateful to the many publishers who gave permission to include their content in this collection. 

• See the complete list of publishers.