 Whilst maintaining his journalistic status as a freelance reporter , he began governmental service in 1937 . He was a member of the secretariat in the Rowell – Sirois Commission , which sought to ease the encumbrance of the Great Depression by analyzing perceived flaws in the Canadian constitution . The outcome of the commission , supported by Eggleston , allowed for greater involvement in regard to unemployment insurance and pensions from the federal government . During this time he liaised with notable figures including Newton Rowell , James McGregor Stewart and Henry Angus ( all of whom were also members of the venture ) . 
