The Classification System files sub-series includes correspondence and subject files created by the Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper and his staff. The series is composed of the following record groups.
Appointments:
The Appointments record group contains three files created by the Prime Minister and his staff. These files relate to the nominations for the Lieutenant Governors of Alberta and Manitoba, as well as the Commissioner for Nunavut, in 2015.
Budget:
The Budget record group consists of briefing binders prepared for the Prime Minister. The briefing binders cover the 2013, 2014, and 2015 budgets.
Canadian Ministry:
The Canadian Ministry record group consists of subject files and correspondence received and created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The records include briefing material, press releases, and correspondence relating to various ministries, as well as correspondence and memoranda to and from various ministers. Files are generally organized as ministry subject files and minister subject files.
Caucus:
The Caucus record group primarily consists of the Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper's speaking notes for the National Caucus, from 2008 to 2015. In addition, there are "Minister's Caucus Advisory Report Summaries" files for 2010, 2013, and 2014, as well as other general files relating to caucus activities.
Conservative Party of Canada:
The Conservative Party of Canada record group consists of files relating to the Calgary Southwest riding office, Mr. Harper's riding, as well as the federal Party.
International visits:
The International Visits record group consists of briefing books detailing official visits by various Heads of State to Canada, as well as international visits taken by the Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper as prime minister. In addition, the record group also includes briefing books detailing official events, such as the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, G8 2010 in Muskoka, G20 2010 in Toronto, as well as international meetings and leader summits.
Memoranda to the Prime Minister:
The Memoranda to the Prime Minister record group consists of memoranda from staff working in the office of the Prime Minister. Memos relate to various chiefs of staff, deputy chiefs of staff, and principal secretaries, as well as various units including Appointments, Communications, Issues Management, Policy, Priorities, Planning and Research, Public Liaison, Speechwriting, and Stakeholder Relations.
Ministries and Ministers of State:
The Ministries and Ministers of State record group consists of subject files and correspondence received and created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The records include briefing material, press releases, and correspondence relating to various ministries, as well as correspondence and memoranda to and from various ministers. Files are generally organized as subject files relating to specific issues, including the Financial Crisis in 2008, Kyoto, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, and the 2010 G20 meeting.
Notable people and groups:
The Notable People and Groups record group contains subject files created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The subject files document interactions between the Prime Minister and notable individuals and groups, including former politicians and party leaders, former prime ministers, political parties, staff and advisors, public servants, and members of the business community.
PMO, PCO, GG, and LG:
The PMO, PCO, GG and LG record group contains subject files created by the Prime Minister and his staff, relating to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Privy Council Office, the Governor General, and the provinces' Lieutenant Governors.
Premiers, Senators, and MPs:
The Premiers, Senators and MPs record group contains subject files created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The subject files document interactions between the Prime Minister and individual Members of Parliament and Senators from within his own political party, as well as interactions and background information on parliamentarians from other parties. In addition, a portion of the record group includes subject files relating to provincial issues and visits, as well as various Premiers.
International leaders:
The International Leaders record group contains subject files created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The subject files document interactions between the Prime Minister and various international leaders. The files include briefing material preparing for meetings with international leaders, as well as correspondence with various Heads of State, ambassadors, and high commissioners.
Royalty:
The Royalty record group contains seven files created by the Prime Minister and his staff. The files document interactions between the Prime Minister and the British Royal Family, as well as the Aga Khan.
Original returns:
The Original Returns record group consists of daily loose subject files created by the staff in the Prime Minister's office. These files consist of a mix of briefings, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents requiring Mr. Harper's attention and/or review. The documents in these files are similar to the records found in other record groups but were not arranged within the classification system.
Personal:
The Personal record group consists of miscellaneous subject and correspondence files relating to the life and work of the Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper outside of his role as prime minister. Included in this record group are various holiday, thank you, and birthday cards, general correspondence, articles, files relating to personal hobbies, his family's activities, and photographs. In addition, this record group includes research notes and drafts relating to Mr. Harper's book, A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey.
Prime Minister's speeches:
The Prime Minister's Speeches records group consists of speeches delivered by Mr. Harper from 2008 to 2015.
Loose files:
The Loose Files record group includes correspondence and subject files created by the Prime Minister and his staff that were not filed within the classification system. Record types documented within the series include photographs, subject files, correspondence, greeting cards, briefing material, speaking notes, schedules and itineraries, personal files, clippings, daily files, 2015 election material, briefing material, reference material, and memoranda.
