Series consists of records created and/or maintained by regional offices of the Department of Regional Economic Expansion, (DREE). When DREE was created in 1969, three regional divisions for the Eastern (Atlantic provinces), Central (Quebec and Ontario), and Western regions were made responsible for implementing rural development and social adjustment programs such as FRED and ARDA.
The offices of the Assistant Deputy Ministers and directors of these divisions were located in Ottawa, but field offices were also established in each of the provincial capitals. By 1972, the regional divisions began to expand and reflect the administrative needs of programs applications in their areas of jurisdiction. As a result, the Western Region Division appointed a Director of Native Programs to coordinate programs such as Special ARDA; the Central Region Division established an office of administrator for Ste. Scholastique; and the Eastern Region Division appointed five Operations officers, a Program Coordinator, and a Manager of the Information Program.
A major policy review undertaken during the fiscal year 1972-1973 resulted in the implementation of a new policy approach which emphasized greater departmental representation in, and communications with, the regions. To accomplish this, the Department initiated major changes in its function and structure. Structurally, the Department was radically decentralized in its organization and operation. The number of staff at head office in Ottawa was substantially reduced while the number in the regional divisions and field offices was increased. Four new regional divisions under assistant deputy ministers were established: at Moncton, New Brunswick for the Atlantic region; at Montreal, Quebec for the Province of Quebec; at Toronto, Ontario for Ontario; and at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for Western Canada. In addition, the authority and responsibilities of field office directors in the provincial capitals were expanded and strengthened. A branch office was also opened in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
