GVTA history project
Our History
The Victoria Teachers' Association dates back to at least 1916, when we participated in a meeting at Dawson school in Vancouver to discuss a provincial teacher association - what would become the BC Teachers' Federation. That federation was founded, with Victoria teachers participating, in 1917, at King Edward High in Vancouver. In 1919 the first Annual General Meeting of the BCTF was held, and in 1920 the BCTF opened their first offices in the Campbell building in Victoria at the corner of Douglas and Fort streets.
Did you know? The first teachers strike in the British Empire took place in Victoria, in 1919. It was the first major industrial action by teachers and it led to a framework for negotiating with school boards for salary increases. You can see the plaque, pictured on the left, commemorating the strike outside the grounds of South Park school.
You can also read about the strike in detail here.
Historical Information
Oral Histories
Keep your eyes on this page as we add new items!
If you have any GVTA artifacts that you would like to share, please get in touch.