The series consists of four daily handwritten journals for Paul Szabo's first year as a Member of Parliament (1993-1994), and five smaller handwritten journals covering the time period of 28 November 2005 to 31 August 2007 and 3 May 2008 to 26 March 2011. The entries are legible, but are in cursive handwriting.
Journals: 26 October 1993 to 26 October 1994
Book 1 of 4: 26 October 1993 to 28 November 1993
Book 2 of 4: 29 November 1993 to 1 February 1994
Book 3 of 4: 2 February 1994 to 1 May 1994
Book 4 of 4: 2 May 1994 to 26 October 1994
Journals: 28 November 2005 to 26 March 2011
Book 1 of 5: 28 November 2005 to 3 November 2006
Book 2 of 5: November 2006 to 31 August 2007
Book 3 of 5: 3 May 2008 to 12 October 2009
Book 4 of 5: 13 October 2009 to 18 June 2010
Book 5 of 5: June 22 2010 to 26 March 2011
The first four journals (19cm x 24cm), covering the first year of Paul Szabo's experiences, include lengthier daily entries than those of the later years. The entries provide Paul Szabo's first impressions to most things as he started his new job as an elected Member of Parliament. Topics included are Paul Szabo's first impressions of his 1993 Election victory, the House of Commons orientation process and material, setting up his offices and hiring staff, daily interactions and meetings with fellow politicians, and the amount of work involved, among other topics. The material provides researchers with an insight into what life as a new Member of Parliament is like.
The second set of journals are smaller (13cm by 18cm), and cover the period of 28 November 2005 to 31 August 2007 and 3 May 2008 to 26 March 2011. As noted at the beginning of the third notebook (3 May 2008 to 12 October 2009), unfortunately the journal for the time period of 31 August 2007 to 3 May 2008 was either lost or stolen. The entries tend to be much shorter, but remain fairly consistent. Topics covered include the 2006 Federal Election loss for the Liberals, Paul Martin stepping down as Prime Minister, the 2006 Liberal Leadership Race, the Huseyincan Celil case of being imprisoned in China, Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff's Leaderships of the Liberal Party, and of Paul Szabo's various trips abroad, among many other miscellaneous subjects. While there is the occasional entry regarding the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee, such as being appointed Chair, they tend to be of a general nature. The journals also provide an insight into Paul Szabo's personal life and character, such as his attending the Prayer Breakfast every Wednesday on Parliament Hill, and his always finding time for Church and Family every Sunday, among others.
