The Labor Statesman, 1924-1969
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.
From 1924-04-25 to 1965-03 The Labor Statesman was owned and published by the Vancouver (New Westminster) and District Labour Council. From 1965-05 to 1967-07 it was published jointly by the BC Federation of Labour and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From 1967-08 to 1969-09 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 of The Labor Statesman is part of the BC Historical Newspapers Collection held at the University of British Columbia. Issues can be searched by date, keywords and names.