Peter Larsen, according to the Government telephone directory, was employed in the PMO as Special Assistant--Communications in 1981, Director of Operations in 1982, and as Senior Advisor--Co-Ordination in 1983-1984. As Senior Advisor (Co-ordination), he reported directly to Principal Secretary Tom Axworthy. Larsen was assisted by a secretary and was responsible for a Special Projects staff who was also assisted by a secretary. The PMO Tasks listed below would suggest that the focus of the PMO for 1983-1984 was that of a political agenda aimed at preparing the Liberal Party for a federal election.
In the internal PMO document, PMO TASKS 1983-1984, Larsen's tasks were outlined as follows:
--To support the development and implementation of a plan for improving the Government's relations with the ethnic groups
--To assist the Principal Secretary in the return of Caucus calls and messages
--To provide Caucus members with assistance in securing priority local projects and bring them more effectively into the development of Government policy and projects
--To aid the development and implementation of plans to seek the support of first time voters in 1984.
--To make strategic use of special events in building support for the Government.
--To support the policy development and information efforts of Liberal Party members of provincial legislatures and provincial Liberal parties generally
This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by subject. The main groups of files include, election results, ethnic strategy, Liberal Party - Manitoba, Liberal Party of Canada, political and demographic profile, political surveys, Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister's visits and trips, and state visits.
The Peter Larsen Staff sub-series relates to other PMO staff who were listed in the document, PMO Tasks 1983-1984, and for whom there are staff sub-series during this 1983-1984 period, for example, William MacEachern, David Crenna, Denise Chong, and Gordon Ashworth.