Denise Chong is listed in the 1982-1984 Government phone directories under Policy (Economic) in the PMO. She had previously [198-] worked as Special Assistant to the Hon. R.J. Perrault, Leader of the Government in the Senate.
In the internal PMO document, PMO TASKS, 1983-1984, Chong's tasks were outlined as follows:
-to prepare a political framework for Federal Budgets and economic statements
-to support the Government's efforts to devise an effective macro-economic policy stance
-to support the Government's efforts to develop policies and strategies for Western Canada and liaise with Western Affairs Committee
-to support the development and implementation of a plan for improving the Government's relations with farmers
-to implement and develop a plan in support of the Liberal Party policy development process
This sub-series is arranged alphabetically by subject, the main groups of files are as follows:
Liberal Party of Canada
In particular the Val Morin Policy Seminar files illustrates the interrelationship between the Liberal Party and the PMO in the development of policy. These policy seminars were intended to help the government in planning the public agenda for the medium term. Seminars included, economic growth, employment issues; and foreign and defence issues. Seminars were chaired by Messrs. Lalonde, Axworthy and MacEachern.
Western Affairs
This set of files contain documents that deal solely with Western Canada. The files are arranged alphabetically. The main subjects are the Crow rate and British Columbia.
Western Affairs Cabinet Committee Series
These files contain documents relating to the Western Affairs Cabinet Committee which was organized by the federal government in the early 1980's to devise a political strategy for Western Canada. Similar material can be found in the Western Affairs set of files. All of the files are listed as general. Some of the subjects which are found in these files include, economic development issues in Western Canada, an industrial strategy for British Columbia, Federal Government initiatives for the development of a new economic policy in Western Canada, Western Canadian aspirations, Western Canadian fisheries, western railway transportation, economic overview on Western Canada and provincial fiscal capacities, Crow's Nest Pass rate, forest policy for Western Canada, soil and water conservation, native peoples--Status Indians, Non-Status Indians and Métis, future development of western agriculture, North-East B.C. coal, separatist support in Western Canada, and agricultural chemical industry in Western Canada.
The Denise Chong Staff sub-series reflects the importance of regional issues to Canadian politics and the policy-making process, the political agenda within the PMO, and to a lesser extent, the role of the PMO with other ministers and their offices.
This sub-series consists of materials which are unique to Denise Chong and her position as Policy (Economic). Similar documents may be found in the David Crenna Staff sub-series (MG 26 O 19).
