On the evening of September 16^th, 2025, Ron Graham launched his newest book, The Coutts Diaries: Power, Politics & Pierre Trudeau 1973-1981 in Seeley Hall at Trinity College. The event was the culmination of Graham’s long hours spent in the Trinity College Archives, researching the private diaries of Jim Coutts, principal secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau from 1975 to 1981.

James Allan “Jim” Coutts (16 May 1938-31 December 2013) was born in High River, Alberta and raised in Nanton, Alberta, where he began his career in politics early, rising to prominence as President of the Young Liberals in the early 1960s. Coutts received his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1961, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968. In his career as a Liberal Party of Canada political staffer, Coutts was a Secretary to Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson (1963-1966) and later became Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1975-1981). Coutts twice ran for federal office in the Toronto Trinity-Spadina riding in 1981 and 1984 but was defeated both times by New Democratic Party candidate Dan Heap. After his defeat, Coutts launched a consulting career and remained actively involved with the Liberal Party of Canada, primarily as an advisor. When Coutts died in 2013, he left his personal custom-bound diaries, notebooks, and other materials to the Trinity College Archives, on the condition that the materials remain closed to researchers until 2025.

Ron Graham, a journalist and author, knew of the diaries from encounters with Coutts during his magazine reporting days in the 1980s. When Graham learned the diaries were at the Trinity College Archives, he asked for and received advanced permission to view them. What he found was a surprisingly detailed insider’s account of the behind-the-scenes strategizing and policy-making in the administration of Pierre Trudeau. Graham’s resulting book, edited from Coutts’ diaries and published by Sutherland House Books, offers readers a rare glimpse into one of the most tumultuous periods in Canadian history.

At the recent launch event – attended by a crowd of Trinity students, alumni, and political buffs alike – Graham personally thanked former Rolph-Bell Archivist Sylvia Lassam for her efforts in making the Coutts diaries accessible. Graham was then joined by Alexandre Trudeau, filmmaker and author, and Tom Axworthy, a former Principal Secretary and Chief Speechwriter to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, for a lively discussion about Canadian politics during the Trudeau years, and the enduring role of Jim Coutts in shaping national policy during that time. It was an evening of excitement, insight, and tales of political drama. And it all started in the Trinity College Archives.

The Coutts Diaries: Power, Politics & Pierre Trudeau 1973-1981 is available at the Graham Library.

The James Allan Coutts Fonds are held by the Trinity College Archives. You can view the finding aid on Discover Archives, or make an appointment to view the collection by contacting trinity.archives@utoronto.ca.