Civic Asset Naming Committee Analysis

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When you drive along Robson Street, you’re in the heart of Vancouver and can find core commercial blocks to walk along and explore. Have you ever wondered who was in charge of naming our Vancouver streets? Until last year, street naming was exclusively a City staff function; currently, the Civic Asset Naming Committee, including both members of the public and City staff, work together to choose new names. Assuming this committee must have been influenced by Robson’s notable contributions to BC’s history and it’s union with Canada, they honoured him with a street, however, he wasn’t always such a significant figure.

Mr Robson played a large role in our local history and was the ninth Premier of British Columbia amongst other roles. Beginning as a merchant in Upper Canada, the aspiring gold miner moved West to The Colony of British Columbia in 1859 after hearing news of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Although his prospecting was unsuccessful, he became known in the town of New Westminster, the colony’s capital. Soon after arriving in the unfamiliar colony, Robson was hired in 1861 as an editor for “The British Columbian,” mainland BC’s …show more content…

Furthermore, Robson was a powerful opponent of land speculation, believing it to be a settlement interference and wanted to transform the land into viable resources. His greatest success possibly came as the leading advocate for constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway terminus at Granville, and his support of the citizens there to include their locality. Credited for having the legislature name the new municipality of Vancouver upon its incorporation in 1886, Robson convinced the council that our city we know would be called

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