This sub-sub-series takes the pulse of a segment of Canadian public opinion (citizens from fairly diverse communities and backgrounds voicing their opinions and criticisms on a range of Canadian and international issues in the news, as well as their personal concerns). All the major issues marking Jean Chrétien's three terms as Prime Minister are also well represented.
Though it consists of correspondence addressed to Jean Chrétien, it also contains a portion of the correspondence addressed to Aline Chrétien. Since Aline Chrétien decided not to have an office, her official correspondence, invitations and engagements were merged into the regular workload of the Correspondence Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister. Her correspondence was managed via the Unit's database, by using "Madame" as the subject. The other portion of the correspondence addressed to Aline Chrétien is contained in the Madame Aline Chrétien's Correspondence sub-series.
Correspondence received by the Prime Minister's Office covers a wide range of topics: federal-provincial politics, most notably the Constitution and the 1995 Quebec referendum; the Liberal Party of Canada, and provincial Liberal parties; the Chrétien government (support and criticism); the state of Canada's economy and finances, especially the budget, the deficit, national income, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and employment; industry and commerce; international trade; transportation, especially the airline companies; national defence; justice, most notably gun control bills; social policy (i.e. poverty, family allowance, seniors, etc.); immigration; health and well-being (with issues such as sexual orientation, euthanasia and AIDS); the Public Service of Canada; communications (CBC, CRTC, etc.); arts and culture; aboriginal affairs; the environment; multiculturalism; the status of women; official languages and bilingualism; science and technology; and global conditions and international relations, in particular the war in Iraq and human rights (rights of the child, gay rights, United Nations).
In addition to people who write as individuals, this sub-sub-series contains a significant number of letters from: the heads of various Canadian enterprises and financial institutions; members of various lobbies, associations and non-governmental organizations (i.e. humanitarian organizations, women's groups, ethnic minority groups and associations, aboriginal associations and band councils, unions, associations of francophones outside Quebec, veterans, farm organizations, etc.); the Governor General of Canada; Senators; secretaries of state; federal Ministers; provincial Premiers and Cabinet Ministers; members of the House of Commons and various provincial legislative assemblies; Liberal Party candidates; the Solicitor General of Canada; mayors and city administrators; representatives of federal and provincial political parties; ministers and members of various religious communities; Canadian university chancellors and professors; lawyers and judges; foreign heads of state; and ambassadors, embassy delegates and consuls from various countries.
