This accession consists of files created and/or maintained by the Ministry of State for Economic Development or MSED (later re-titled as the Ministry of State for Economic and Regional Development, or MSERD). These files consist of initiatives related to the development of policies for those sectors of the Canadian economy which produce raw materials and products which have been subject to only a limited degree of processing. The initiatives related to the following sectors: Agriculture, Energy, Fisheries, Forestry, and Minerals & Elements.
The Agriculture and Food Policy Initiatives focused on measures to enhance growth, efficiency, and stability and equity in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of agricultural and food products, to foster the expansion of trade of these products domestically and in export markets, and to assure consumers of an adequate wholesome and reasonably priced food supply. This further included Horticulture policy (Horticulture Strategy, Horticulture Surtax, Plant Breeder's Rights & Seed Act), and Dairy policy (review of dairy policy, and review of cheese imports).
The Energy Policy Initiatives involved measures intended to influence the supply of, demand for, price of, and distribution of profits from the various energy commodities; oil, gas, coal, hydro-electric, nuclear and renewable energy sources. The particular areas of focus were: Energy Conservation measures to encourage the conservation of energy through public information subsidies, taxation, and regulation, with a particular file on Canertech. Gas Policy measures to influence the supply of, demand for, and price of natural gas primarily through regulation and tax incentives respecting producers and shippers, with a particular file on the Arctic Pilot Project. Coal Policy measures to encourage the exploitation and efficient use of coal reserves through research, development and demonstration projects through the provision of transportation infrastructure, through direct investment in Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO) mines, and through a range of financial assistance programs. Pipeline Policy measures to ensure the provision of efficient interprovincial and international transportation systems for oil and gas consistent with national economic goals, through regulation, and in some cases financial incentives, with particular files on the Alaska Highway Pipeline, Reporting on Socio-Economic & Environmental Terms and Conditions, and West/East Oil Pipelines. Renewable Energy Policy measures to encourage the development and use of renewable energy sources through research development and various subsidy and assistance programs, with a particular file on Straflo (Low-Head Hydro Demonstration). Electrical Energy Policy measures to facilitate the supply and distribution of electrical energy through research and development regulation of export sales and financial assistance to provinces and their utilities. Nuclear Policy measures to encourage the development and utilization of nuclear energy through the controlled development and maintenance of a Canadian capacity in nuclear energy, through research and development financial incentives, regulations and commercial activities, with particular files on reactors, nuclear waste immobilization and disposal, heavy water plants, Eldorado's Uranium refinery, review on Nuclear policy, and national program of fusion research and development.
The Fisheries Initiatives focused on policy measures to enhance the income of fishermen and the values of the fishery resource through programs for fleet development, processing markets and income stabilization, and through research and management of the resources. Also included are the international responsibilities in regard to international fisheries commissions, treaties and negotiations with foreign countries and management of the resources outside of the 200 mile limit. Included are files on the Fisheries Act, Fisheries Surveillance and Protection, Improvement Loans, Canada/USA Fishing Treaties, Fishing vessel & License buyback program, strategy for 1980s, and Atlantic Fisheries Development.
The Forestry Initiatives involved policy measures to encourage efficient management of the forest resources through research and cost-shared reforestation, silviculture, timber salvage and access road construction, to develop overseas markets and to encourage industry investment in modernization and energy conservation through financial incentives to firms. It also involved measures related to the marketing and processing of forestry products, in particular: the Newsprint Facility at Stephenville Newfoundland, Newsprint Plant (Amos Quebec), Advisory Group on the Forest Products Development Policy Meetings, Pulp & Paper Advisory Group meetings, Pulp & Paper Modernization Program.
The Minerals and Elements Initiatives focused on policy development for general issues, for iron and steel, mines, and regional mineral strategy. Subjects include: Policy Development, Associations and Companies ((Algoma Steel Corporation Limited, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction), Sydney Steel Corporation (SYSCO)), Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy technology (CANMET), Committees, Conferences/Meetings/Seminars, Employment, Non-ferrous and specialty metals, reports, Task Force on Mining Communities, Taxation, Zinc Plant, Cerro Colorado Copper Mine, Financial Assistance, and the Polaris Project of Arvik Mines (COMINCO).
