Doctor in Training - Life as a PhD Student

Hello blog world, Here is the latest segment of the adventure from the archives series. This week's article is a cabinet submission to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau  two days before Canada announced their decision to send an immigration team to Kampala. I encourage you to read through the actual memorandum but as always I have included some highlights below :) What: Memorandum to the parliamentary cabinet Who: Bryce Mackasey - Minister of Manpower and Immigration When: August 22nd 1972 Where: Ottawa So what: The document makes it clear that there were several motives behind Canada's involvement in the resettlement of Ugandan Asian refugees. It also highlights the complications as to whether this was just an excellent opportunity to accept a large number of highly skilled individuals, to appease Britain's pressure to get involved, or the Canadian government acting on pure humanitarian intentions. Was is truly opportunism or humanitarianism? As you'...

Hello blog world! Here is the latest segment of the adventures from the archives series. This week we have some absolutely fascinating pages written by Idi Amin himself!  What: A letter addressed to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau from President of Uganda Idi Amin addressing the expulsion decree Who: Prime Minister Trudeau and President / Major General Idi Amin When : October 14th 1974  Where: Hand delivered to PM. Trudeau in Paris Why: This letter is in response to PM. Trudeau's initial letter which encouraged President Amin to reconsider the expulsion decree So what:  Provides a crucial historical evidence of the motivations of President Amin. Using his own words President Amin justifies the expulsion decree and makes it very clear that he will not reconsider the decree he had issued on August 4th 1972. Here  are a couple highlights from the letter that stuck out for me: " Since colonial days, the economy of Uganda especially ...

Hello blog world,  Here is the latest instalment from the adventures from the archives series. I was fortunate enough to be granted access to personal correspondence between the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau . I had always wondered how close these two actually were especially considering how it has taken on a life of its own within the Ismaili community in Canada.  It turns out that they were actually very close friends. Beyond the fact that the Aga Khan was a honorary pallbearer  at Prime Minister Trudeau's funeral and that Justin Trudeau commonly refers to the Aga Khan as " Uncle Karim ", these letters showcased how they were indeed good friends. Their letters were often signed off with "in friendship". The photo that I have included was from a letter PM. Trudeau had sent to the Aga Khan congratulating him and his wife at the time Princess Salima on the birth of their first child Princess Zahra .  A photo of Princess Z...