2000's - Gateway to the Pacific
Although still early into the 21st Century, British Columbia has been at the centre of some remarkable historical shifts as a result of changing demographics, technological change, and increasing ties to the Asia-Pacific region.
- In March 2006, BC Ferries MV Queen of the North ran aground then sank near Hartley Bay. Two missing passengers were never found.
- In December 2006, a severe windstorm battered British Columbia's southwest coast, causing significant damage and forever changing iconic Stanley Park.
- In 2008, the Canadian government issued a formal apology for abuse suffered by Indigenous students attending residential schools, many of which were located in B.C.
- In 2010, Vancouver and Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- In 2011, the Vancouver Canucks reached the final of the Stanley Cup play-offs. The final game was marred by violence and rioting in the streets.
- In 2012, a 7.7 earthquake was registered just offshore the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, stemming the flow of some of the islands' sacred hot springs.
- In 2013, the City of Vancouver embarked upon a year of reconciliation to "form a sustained relationship of mutual respect and understanding with local First Nations and the Urban Indigenous community." A walk for reconciliation was attended by over 70,000 participants.
- In 2014, the British Columbia government issued a formal apology for historical wrongs against members of the Chinese community.
- In 2015, the impact of a summer drought and wildfires were felt throughout a large portion of the province.
Useful Websites
Useful Websites
Digital Library Resources
Digital Library Resources
Recommended Titles
Remote Media URL
Call Number
578.09711 C22b2
Publication Year
2015
With expanded sections on the province's geological history, updated information on the mountain pine beetle and the future of B.C.'s biodiversity, and fresh information on many other topics.
Remote Media URL
Call Number
665.544 K83o
Publication Year
2013
Arno Kopecky and his companions travel aboard a forty-one-foot sailboat exploring the pristine route--a profoundly volatile marine environment that registered 1,275 marine vessel incidents--mechanical failures, collisions, explosions, groundings, and sinkings--between 1999 and 2009 alone.
Remote Media URL
Call Number
970.5 S467p
Publication Year
2016
The book begins with glimpses of foods, medicines, and cultural practices North America’s indigenous peoples have contributed to the rest of the world. It documents the dark period of regulation by racist laws during the twentieth century, and then discusses new emergence in the twenty-first century into a re-establishment of Indigenous land and resource rights.
Remote Media URL
Call Number
363.123 H52q
Publication Year
2016
Just after midnight on March 22, 2006, the Queen of the North—carrying 101 passengers—struck an underwater ledge off Gil Island, 135 kilometres south of Prince Rupert. The impact tore open the ship's bottom and ripped out the propellers. In less than an hour, it sank to the bottom of Wright Sound, 427 metres below the surface.
Northwest History Index
This card index in Special Collection provides access to the Northwest History Collection, a heritage collection covering the early history and exploration of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
The collection includes:
- magazine and newspaper articles
- pamphlets
- books
- chapters in books
- many other resources
As of August 1998, no new material has been added to the Northwest History Index. It is continued by the British Columbia Index.