This series concerns the activities and relations maintained by Edward S. [Eddie] Goldenberg, Jean Chrétien's Senior Policy Advisor, in the period from 1993 to 2003. The Senior Policy Advisor reports directly to the Prime Minister, and advises and counsels him not only on major policy issues but on strategy, procedure and planning with regard to government business and operations. To this end he works closely, even jointly, with ministers and senior officials, and attends Cabinet meetings and committees. Lastly, he is concerned chiefly with matters and issues of national interest, most notably federal-provincial and Canada-U.S. relations.
The series sheds light on the actual PMO decision-making process, and the relations needed to ensure the efficient conduct of government business. The Senior Policy Advisor left behind an impressive quantity of records, which offer insight into motives, choices, discussions, misgivings, thought processes, and ultimate decisions to be implemented. The topics addressed are diverse, and cover a wide range of government and societal activities (i.e. industry, tourism, energy, natural resources, telecommunications, labour market, transportation, agriculture, national security, defence, environment, health, accommodation and housing, arts, sports, culture, human rights, aboriginal affairs, national unity, education, employment, science and technology, finance, economy, international affairs, government operations, federal-provincial relations, etc.).
It includes working files developed by Eddie Goldenberg and his team, which consist mainly of correspondence, personal notes, briefing notes, memos, reports, studies, submissions to the Prime Minister's Office or other federal bodies, news releases, speeches, interview transcripts, press clippings, and copies of articles.
