The B. C. Geographical Names Office (BCGNO) is looking into changing the name “Trutch” from four more places in the province because of its association with a politician’s racist past.
Joseph Trutch, who was B. C.’s first lieutenant-governor, is notorious for his policies that harmed Indigenous people, including significantly cutting down reserve sizes and blocking Indigenous people from buying land owned by non-Indigenous individuals.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport informed that it received a request to rename these sites back in August 2021 from someone concerned about Trutch’s actions.
The locations being considered include Mount Trutch near Golden, B. C., Trutch Island in the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, as well as Trutch, B. C., and Trutch Creek.
Trutch, B. C., is an abandoned spot near the Alaska Highway. Together with Trutch Creek, both are located around 250 kilometers north of Fort St. John, B. C.
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A boy stands next to an Alaska Highway relay station sign at Trutch, Mile 195. (Submitted by the Fort St. John North Peace Museum)
While making its decision, the province stated it is consulting with local governments, First Nations, and organizations that might be impacted by these name changes.
First Nations being informed include the Fort Nelson First Nation, Dene Tha’ First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Horse Lake First Nation.
The Peace River Regional District received notice in a Dec. 4 letter from the BCGNO. It was included in a Jan. 8 board meeting where no comments were made.
The letter mentions that Trutch “believed First Nations had no legitimate claim to the land and determined it was unnecessary to negotiate agreements or offer compensation to extinguish Aboriginal title.”
“The BCGNO recognizes the potential harm and offense associated with continuing to commemorate Joseph Trutch through official geographical names,” it continues.
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Joseph Trutch became involved in politics, winning a seat in the colonial legislature in 1861. (Royal B. C. Museum)
The name Trutch has already been taken off a street in Vancouver which was renamed in June 2025 to šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street or Musqueamview Street to honor the Musqueam First Nation.
Richmond and Victoria also changed street names that honored Trutch; additionally, the University of Victoria changed a residence building’s name.
The ministry noted that no new names have been proposed for these four locations yet. If they decide on removing them officially, those old names will still be kept online for reference purposes.
The ministry said there will be an engagement period until March 6th during which they will gather responses to figure out their next steps.
This isn’t the first instance where officials have thought about changing controversial landmark names.
In November 2021, there were proposals for removing Mount Bedaux and Bedaux Pass due to French-American industrialist Charles Bedaux’s connections with Nazi Germany.##Additional Context Bedaux led an expedition through northern Alberta and B. C. back in 1934 but faced arrest years later for his business dealings with Vichy France during World War II.
He died by suicide at a Florida prison while awaiting trial in 1944.
The ministry mentioned they expect to make decisions regarding Mount Bedaux and Bedaux Pass later this year.
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