The Labor Statesman 1924-1969 Digital Archive
The Labor Statesman was a significant newspaper dedicated to labor unity and a higher standard of living for workers. Affordable at just five cents per copy or a dollar for a 20-week subscription, the newspaper aimed to reach a broad audience.
Visit the Labor Statesman digital archive (external link).
The newspaper, initially owned and operated by the Vancouver, New Westminster and District Trades and Labor Council, served as a vital voice for the working class for 45 years, from its inception on April 25, 1924, until its final publication in 1969.
Until March 1965, The Labor Statesman was owned and published by the Vancouver (New Westminster) and District Labour Council. From May 1965 to July 1967 it was published jointly by the BC Federation of Labour and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From August 1967 to September 1969 it was published by the BC Federation of Labour.
The spelling of the title changed over the decades when ‘labor’ was replaced with ‘labour’ as acceptable Canadian style.
The Labor Statesman was founded with ambitious goals:
● foster “industrial and political unity”
● advocate for “a higher standard of living”
● contribute to “a greater destiny” for workers.
The newspaper provided comprehensive coverage, including
● national news
● international labour developments from Britain and the United States
● crucial local reports
The Labor Statesman remains an important historical record, reflecting the struggles, achievements, and daily lives of the labour movement during a transformative period.
This collection of 836 issues is part of the BC Historical Newspapers Collection held at the University of British Columbia. Issues can be searched by date, keywords and names.