This series consists mostly of records created and/or maintained between September 30, 1982 and June 29, 1984, when Roméo LeBlanc was Minister of Public Works and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Some records were created during the ministry of his predecessor, Paul James Cosgrove, Minister of Public Works from March 30, 1980 to September 29, 1982. Most of the records pertain to the administration of CMHC housing programs and individual housing projects throughout the Provinces and Territories including provision of funding for various forms of non-profit social housing and co-operative housing, of financial assistance to first-time home-buyers and for purposes of home renovation, and assistance for construction and repair of rural and native housing. Some of the records are concerned with application of energy efficient measures, particularly in the Canadian North, the development of new housing technologies, testing of new construction materials and the Corporation's scholarship program.
The bulk of the records consists of correspondence regarding enquiries, requests and complaints with respect to applications for funding under specific programs, criteria for eligibility and high mortgage interest rates. There are also numerous complaints regarding construction contractors, methods and materials as well as the conduct of inspectors. Applications and correspondence are frequently accompanied by supporting documents such as maps, plans, drawings, specifications and photographs as well as other forms of documentation such as invoices, deeds of land, permits, certificates of title, purchase agreements and records of inspection. Of special note are the numerous letters from low- and middle-income applicants containing details of living standards and individual circumstances during a period of high interest rates in Canada. Several files contain correspondence, invitations and project and regional information sheets in connection with official openings and sod-turning ceremonies. The series contains also reports, proposals, studies, statistical information, financial information, news releases, media transcripts and press clippings. Some files contain information regarding the Minister's attendance at conferences, exhibitions and meetings. Materials from these files include conference information packages, brochures, briefing notes, speeches, agendas and itineraries. Other records in the series include Anticipated Questions and Parliamentary Questions, position papers and Cabinet documents as well as numerous hand-written notes.
