Logging and forestry played an integral role in the early days of British Columbia. My own community was founded because it was the home of Fraser Mills. The old lumber mill, which closed in 2001, was at one time the largest in the British Empire. My husband’s grandfather, father, and uncles all worked there at one time or another, as did my own grandfather.
In the early years, though, there weren’t many people living in what is now suburban Vancouver. And the mill needed people to run it. So in 1909 they recruited their first 100 workers from Quebec. These settlers formed the community known as Maillardville, which retains pieces of its francophone flavour to this day. Indeed, it is because of this history that my community will play host to the Village de Francophone 2010, where French-speaking athletes will stay during the 2010 Olympic games.
First French kindergarten opens in 1968
Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Lourdes
This year, of course, is the 100th anniversary of the formation of Maillardville, and the Maillardville 100 ans festivities are marking the occasion. The biggest celebration, really the biggest Francophone party in BC every year, is the Festival du Bois. It’s a huge celebration of all things French Canadian, with a particular focus on Maillardville’s history. I hear that the food just might be the best part – can you say maple taffy?
If you’ll be in the Vancouver area this weekend it might be worth a visit to the festival, at Mackin Park in Coquitlam. You can get all the details on their website in English or French.
Oh, and in the interests of public service, daylight savings time starts tomorrow. So remember to ‘spring forward’ before you go to sleep tonight. 
I always learn so much from visiting your blog. I’d love to go back and visit B.C. I have some family in Kitimat (population 12,000). It was beautiful. The Alcan plant is what keeps that city going. All my 3 uncles that live there work there, as do my cousins.
Cool history!
I’ve started changing the clocks, alarmed at how late it is in the evening already.