Province considers name changes in Peace region over link to controversial historical figure

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The province is considering removing the name of a controversial historical figure from two locations in the Peace River region, and is looking for feedback from the local government. 

During the January 8th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), a letter from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports was reviewed by directors. 

The letter, penned by Trent Thomas of the B.C. Geographical Names Office (BCGNO), explained the province is considering a request to rescind the official names of locations named after historical figure Joseph William Trutch.

This includes the Trutch locality near mile 202 of Highway 97 and Trutch Creek, a waterway which breaks off from the Sikanni Chief River in the same area. The creek was named in March 1928, and the locality adopted its name in 1952, according to the office. 

“The BCGNO recognizes the potential harm and offence associated with continuing to commemorate Joseph Trutch through official geographical names,” Thomas wrote. 

According to the letter, Trutch was “notorious” for racist policies against First Nations, believing they had “no legitimate claim to the land.” He helped negotiate the province’s entry into Canada, and was the province’s first lieutenant governor between 1872 and 1876.

“If rescinded, the online name records would be maintained with the history of these names having once been official, but the names would no longer be labelled on provincial maps and charts or distributed as official place names in B.C.,” the letter stated. 

“Until a broadly supported naming proposal is brought forward and officially adopted in accordance with policy, these places would not have official names, and references to each of these features would be by GPS coordinates or in relation to nearby named features.”

The letter encouraged the regional district to comment on the names on behalf of the region before March 6th, 2026 as part of the considerations, and to propose alternative names during the same time period. 

“Before any naming decision[s] are made, the BCGNO seeks to determine whether rescinding these names is supported by local communities and organizations, and whether such changes

would create any operational challenges,” the letter stated.  

The letter was ‘received for information’ by the board, meaning no decisions, votes or discussions were held during the meeting. 

To read the ministry’s letter, see below.