Sub-series consists of records created or used by Donald Macdonald as Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources (EMR), 1972-1975. The files are arranged according to the EMR subject classification system: 100 subject numbered files designated personal, and 200 subject numbered files designated departmental.
The subject files numbers 100 to 199 include personal and administrative records, correspondence from constituents and non-constituents, departmental case files, Liberal Party papers, election files, conferences, speaking engagements and invitations. The files contain correspondence, working papers, internal memoranda, briefing notes and all the documentation associated with the operations of a government department. The departmental case files (subject 128), are arranged alphabetically by department as the Early Records Re-classified by the Energy Mines and Resources Subject Number Series. These case files document Macdonald's actions on behalf of his constituents and Canadians in general. They also are the source for much information on his earlier political portfolios, particularly his work as Minister of Defence and Parliamentary Secretary for Justice.
The subject files number 200 to 299 document departmental activities and operations. There are administrative files for both the department and its branches, including the Geological Survey of Canada, the Polar Continental Project, the Atomic Energy Control Board, the National Energy Board (NEB), the Energy Conservation Board and the Energy Supply Allocation Board. Atomic energy issues documented include the entry of nuclear powered warships into Canadian waters, radium contamination and the Glace Bay heavy water plant. National Energy Board files include correspondence on topics ranging from NEB appointments, licencing and oil panel reports.
The sub-series contains a significant block of correspondence from organizations (subject 210, volumes 192 - 219) arranged alphabetically by name of organization (and chronologically for the more general correspondence). Many businesses contacted Macdonald to promote products related to natural resources, pitch energy-related ideas, bid on contracts, or voice concerns about energy issues. There are also a significant number of committee files (subject 220, volumes 219-222) for committees including the National Advisory Committee on Northern Pipelines, National Resources and Public Works, the Mining Industry, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, and so forth.
Energy policy and the exploration and development of natural resources are documented in subjects 240 to 280 (volumes 225-239). These files provide information on energy issues and on public opinion of the government's handling of the issues. Topics include regulation and oil pricing, the Columbia River Treaty, Fundy Tidal Powers study, the James Bay Project, Arctic Gas Project, MacKenzie Valley Social Impact Study, Kluane National Park, Athabaska Tar Sands development, the sale of Candu reactors around the world, uranium exports and imports, mineral resources, natural gas, offshore mineral rights and the establishment of Petro-Canada.
This sub-series is a continuation of the Early Records Re-classified by the Energy Mines and Resources Subject Number Series, and researchers should search both series for similar files. However, there are no Toronto-related files (subject 117) in this sub-series. Macdonald removed them and brought them forward into his Minister of Finance portfolio in 1977. See the Toronto Project Files sub-series in the Minister of Finance series for a description of those records.
