In the early 1930s, the District and City of North Vancouver were taken into receiverships, replacing all elected officials with one role, the commissioner. The receiverships were initiated by the provincial government when the municipalities’ debts became too unmanageable.
The commissioner, a non-elected official appointed by the governor general, took over the roles of mayor and council to prioritize finances.
The above photo shows Commissioner George Washington Vance, seated in the centre, who served as commissioner from 1936 until his sudden death in 1944. Shortly after, municipal powers were restored to the city, followed by the district in 1950.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
