In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1984. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: In late March, 1984, 400 production workers at Pacific Press Ltd., which published both The Province and the Vancouver Sun, went on strike, both over wage increases and in response to larger struggles between unions and the provincial government. While this strike meant that Vancouver’s large papers were not available, the Globe and Mail out of Toronto expanded their BC coverage and rapidly increased their circulation in the province.
Question: Have you been affected by the loss of the Vancouver dailies because of the Pacific Press strike?
Sue Clark – Unemployed – Whistler Cay
No. I normally pick up the Sun but now that it’s not going any more I find the Globe and Mail’s B.C. section keeps me informed on what’s going on in B.C. and the country. And there’s always the six o’clock news.
Paul Martin – Hotel Employee – Whistler
No. I’m from Toronto, so I seem to pick up the Globe and Mail more often. The only thing is when you’re going into Vancouver to catch a flick you don’t know what’s going on – probably the biggest loss is the movie listings.
Clayton Ross – Unemployed Waiter – Whistler
Not at all. I’m a Canadian before I’m a B.C. person, so the news isn’t important. I see a lot of people here reading the Globe and Mail, but I think a lot of others would rather see the Vancouver papers. The strike could give the two papers better direction when it’s over.
WHISTORICAL 