This sub-sub-series consists mainly of correspondence between Prime Minister Chrétien's three successive chiefs of staff - Jean Pelletier (1993-2001), Percy Downe (2001-2003) and Edward S. [Eddie] Goldenberg (2003) - and federal and provincial politicians (i.e. governors; governors general; Liberal ministers, secretaries of state, M.P.s and senators; leaders of Canada's major political parties; provincial Premiers, etc.). It includes correspondence received by politicians, sometimes by Jean Chrétien himself, and forwarded to the Chief of Staff for information or approval. A number of original items are therefore signed by Canadian politicians. Related documents are sometimes attached to the pieces of correspondence, including correspondence transmittal forms, various reference materials, handwritten notes, memos, ministerial press releases, briefing notes, etc.
The key themes concern the powers of the Chief of Staff in managing the Prime Minister's Office: appointments, departmental budgets, salaries, meetings, approval of grants and projects, etc. This more administrative aspect of the Chief of Staff's duties is supplemented by comments on government positions, requests for the approval of economic, political or electoral strategies, suggested courses of action and, more rarely, courtesy messages (well wishes, thank you letters, and invitations).
This correspondence provides an overview of the Chief of Staff's role as policy manager, particularly for ministers, secretaries of state and, indirectly, for exempt political staff and elected members. In addition to this management role, the Chief of Staff advises the Prime Minister on political strategies and priorities as well as the political aspects of public policy or other measures contemplated by ministers and secretaries of state. To this end, he or she must be informed of ongoing issues, problems and projects - a requirement partly met by the correspondence in this sub-sub-series (correspondence with elected members, and especially with department heads). In expressing their support and grievances, elected members generally seek the support of the Chief of Staff (and indirectly, that of Prime Minister Chrétien) for projects in their respective ridings. The same is true for senators who, among other things, require the Chief of Staff's support for appointments. The content of files opened on behalf of the main Opposition parties is somewhat varied, and tends to concern the Chief of Staff's strategic role in the political arena. Lastly, we should point out that files concerning correspondence with provincial Premiers (a mixture of correspondence and reference materials) help shed light on intergovernmental relations, partisan or otherwise, and on their disparities within the Canadian federal context.
