The series documents Robert C. Coates' activities, input and role as Minister of National Defence relating to numerous on-going Canadian Forces projects and defence initiatives conducted in Canada and abroad.
The series comprises the following records: memoranda from exempt staff and chief of staff to the Minister; briefing documents; notes and research documents sent to the Deputy Ministers, chiefs of staff and Assistant Deputy Ministers; incoming correspondence from DND military personnel and civilian personnel, business men, CEOs and presidents of companies; Canadian citizens, veterans, Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, advocacy groups, associations, societies and clubs; copies of outgoing replies; speeches of other Cabinet Ministers relating to defence issues; offers of professional services; information packages and pamphlets, business reports pertaining to contracts between DND and Canadian companies.
Complaints and objections regarding various military projects and initiatives; Air Force aircraft maintenance and safety; protests regarding Cruise Missile testing; nuclear arms objection; arms race; information kits; military and veteran associations; Cadet corps; requests for CF Bands; Canadian Forces exchange system; ceremonies and events: Remembrance Day; Battle of Britain; 40th Anniversary of D-Day; Minister's invitation; DND Committees and Boards; changes to the Cabinet decision making system; pesticides; Canadian Military College Advisory Board; Permanent Joint Board on Defence; Standing Committee on External Affairs and National Defence; claims; Lac la Biche Accident; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd; low flying aircraft and sonic booms; complaints and irregularities; meetings with Minister: Daily Executive meeting, Defence Command, Conference Defence Association; North Atlantic Assembly; Armed Forces Training Technology Exhibition ARMX 85; exhibitions: air shows, Skyhawks, Snowbirds; arms race; defence spending; citizens concerns pertaining to the manufacturing and use of nuclear weapons; requests for information sent to the Minister; unification - objections; energy planning order; arms purchases; NATO low-level military flights; DND property management; and the North Warning System.
Defence Review Green Paper; Canadian Patrol Frigate (CPF) Project; Privacy Act-Exempt Information Bank; Canadian Forces Military Police; Investigation Case Files (Personal); Access to Information Act; future status of Canadian Forces Bases, stations and units; defence publications; physical education, recreation and sports; Queen's Regulations and Orders; Treasury Board submission reports; intelligence reports for Minister; CF-18 Reports; Royals visits; Air Defence; White Paper on Defence; Emergency Planning in Canada; North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Nuclear Planning Group; Defence Planning Committee (DPC); Search and Rescue (SAR); United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF); Service Personnel Files; Treasury Board Submission; Defence Construction, Ltd; transportation by air; Canadian Patrol Frigate; three distinctive uniforms for Armed Forces; future status of Canadian Forces Bases, Stations and Units; requests for information submitted by Members of Parliament and Senators; visits of Senior representative of foreign countries; North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nuclear Planning Group); CF personnel grievances forwarded to the Minister; overseas teachers service personnel - education; civilian personnel employment on DND; Treasury Board Submission; military pensions; air service and special flights; and construction engineering contracts.
