Victoria, B.C. – July 20, 2015 — Just in time for BC Day 2015, a landmark 20-part documentary video series will be released, shedding powerful new light on British Columbia’s dramatic and often turbulent path from British colonial outpost to proud province of Canada.
Titled “British Columbia: joins Confederation,” the series is hosted by acclaimed Canadian historian Dr. Barry Gough*, known for his vivid storytelling, decades of scholarly research, and award-winning work on Pacific history and imperial politics. Produced with historical depth and narrative flair, the series is set to become a cornerstone educational resource for classrooms, heritage institutions, and history enthusiasts across the country.
“This series is about more than politics,” Dr. Gough explains. “It’s about people—visionaries, settlers, Indigenous leaders, politicians, and merchants—who shaped the colony in a time of uncertainty, ambition, and transformation. We tell the story of how B.C. was carved by global empires, local aspirations, and the promise of a transcontinental future.”
Each episode dives deep into key events and figures: from the fur trade foundations and the establishment of Fort Victoria, to Governor James Douglas’s pivotal role, the impact of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, American expansionism, Indigenous diplomacy and resistance, and the decisive railway promise that bound B.C. to Confederation.
The series also explores the tensions between colonial independence and the economic pressures that drew the region eastward. Featuring archival documents, expert commentary, and historical reenactments, “British Columbia: Path to Confederation” brings 19th-century debates and ambitions vividly to life.
The release date of August 3rd, 2015—BC Day—marks both a celebration and reflection, inviting British Columbians to rediscover the political and cultural crossroads that led to their province’s inclusion in the Dominion of Canada on July 20, 1871.
The series will be available online and through select public sites, with accompanying educational guides for schools and community organizations to be posted in September of 2025.
“This is not just B.C.’s story,” says Dr. Gough, “it’s Canada’s story as well. Our westernmost province joined the union through a unique blend of diplomacy, geography, and determination—this series gives that journey the voice it deserves.”
For more information, press inquiries, or to request screeners, contact:
BC Confederation Series Media Desk
Email: info@canadahistorysociety.ca
Website: To Be Posted
