Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1962-1983 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
8 cm of textual records. -- 2 audio reels
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Gertrude Mary Laing, 1905-2005, was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated in French from the University of Manitoba and did post-graduate studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. She later taught at the University of Manitoba. In 1952 she moved to Calgary, Alberta with her husband, Stanley B. Laing, an oil industry executive. The Laings had two sons, Colin, a metallurgical engineer, and Alan, a composer.
From 1963 to 1971 Gertrude served on the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. From 1968 to 1972 she was a member of the Canadian Radio-Television Commission. She also served as chair of the Canada Council, and was a delegate to the Unesco General Assembly. She was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary in 1973.
She was co-author (with Solange Chaput Rolland) of Face to Face. - Toronto : New Press, 1972.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Gertrude Laing, 1993-1994.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of three items related to her service on the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism: a scrapbook including extensive commentary; and two lengthy essays, "Origins of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism" and "Twenty Years Later: Reflections on a Moment of Canadian History". Includes a recorded interview with her.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
No finding aid.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
See also the Gertrude Laing Collection of Documentation Relating to the Royal Commission on Bilingualism
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.
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Description control area
Description identifier
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Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Monday, April 27, 2015