This sub-series is largely a subject-correspondence unit. The sub-series commences with code 90-1, although other sub-series using the same file classification system included files in the 0 to 90 file block range. There appear to be some files in the 0 to 90 file classification number range, for example, in Series IV, "Minister's Records 1960s", Sub-series 3. Subject and Nominal Files, that fall into the time period when Allan J. MacEachen was Minister of Labour. It is likely that the earlier files in the 0 to 90 file blocks from this file classification system were absorbed into a coded file classification system that was implemented in a subsequent Ministerial Office.
The files under 90-1 deal with fisheries, especially with the appointment of Fish Guardians and on lobster fishing. They are classically local patronage files. The code 100 files seem to be House of Commons, with files on the Flag Debate. The 110 code files deal with justice matters (appointment of justices and selection of solicitors for government work, suppliers to the RCMP and such) - these are areas where MacEachen had much say in decisions. A particularly significant bloc is under codes 115-120, Industry. Here one finds multi-part files on the updated and modernized Canada Labour Code, which was a signal achievement by MacEachen. Under code 130 there are files demonstrating MacEachen's efforts to keep Point Edward Naval Base operational, for the economic benefit it brought to the area, as well as files on developing a heavy water plant in Nova Scotia.
Under their codes, other file blocs follow. The significant issues addressed are pensions, housing, financial assistance and the development of parks (Cape Breton National Park, Kejimkujik Provincial Park and Louisbourg). Even more significant are the files on Old Age Pensions and Medicare, significant issues which were then being addressed.
Thus, while some files deal with national issues, such as the Canada Labour Code, Old Age Pensions and Medicare, the majority of the files are Nova-Scotia-centric, especially the files where MacEachen had direct authority or leeway to intervene, such as post office appointments, infrastructure contracts (breakwaters, wharves and local airports) and the implementation of various job promotion programs. There are many files on specific municipalities, their needs and MacEachen's intervention on their behalf.
There are many files on invitations, other correspondence files and a run of twenty "Miscellaneous" files. The invitations were retained to record of who, when and where the Minister choose to meet, offering insights into how the Minister and the office support staff functioned, how the Minister networked and how he advanced the government's, the party's and his own political agenda.
The correspondents are largely from the Maritime Provinces, but there are also correspondents from across Canada. While some files address constituents' issues, many are files involving officials in other departments and other levels of government. For example, while there are files dealing with crewing boats, staffing post offices and repairing wharves in Nova Scotia, local area concerns, there are also files dealing with the Dominion Coal Board and national coal policy, a Heavy Water Plant and Medicare and Labour reform, significant issues on the national scale. Some of the files also hold useful background material on significant issues of the day for which MacEachen was responsible as Minister, for example labour legislation used for the significant updating of the Canadian Labour Code. In a long run of "Miscellaneous" files, the researcher can find a wealth of commentary from a broad spectrum of Canadians (from the occasional crank to religious figures, to university professors and the Prime Minister himself) addressing significant subjects such as Medicare, Labour reform and a new flag for Canada.
While most files are from MacEachen's Labour Ministry period, many run into his years as Minister of National Health and Welfare.
