Jean Chrétien

The Right Honourable Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, PC , LL.D (born January 11, 1934) was the twentieth Prime Minister of Canada, serving from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003.

Legacy

In general, Chrétien supported Pierre Trudeau's ideals of official bilingualism and multiculturalism, but his government oversaw the erosion of the welfare state established and built under William Lyon Mackenzie King, Louis St. Laurent, Lester Pearson and Trudeau. His government advocated neo-liberal (or right of centre) polices on a number of economic fronts, cutting transfer payments to the provinces and social programs, supporting globalization and free trade and implementing large personal and corporate tax cuts. In the late 1990s, he and then-Finance Minister Paul Martin balanced the Canadian budget for the first time in decades.

Related Topics:
Pierre Trudeau - Official bilingualism - Multiculturalism - Welfare state - William Lyon Mackenzie King - Louis St. Laurent - Lester Pearson - Neo-liberal - Globalization - Free trade - Tax - Paul Martin

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Chrétien was repeatedly attacked by both his opponents and supporters for failing to live up to certain election promises, such as eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. He also came under fire for delaying a military helicopter purchase. Some point to the "No" result of the 1995 Quebec referendum on separation as a political victory for Chrétien, while others interpret the extremely slim margin as a near-disaster for which Chrétien, as de facto leader of the "No" campaign, was responsible. In 2002, Chrétien promoted a plan to help Africa financially. It is not completely clear for what he will be most remembered.

Related Topics:
Goods and Services Tax - North American Free Trade Agreement - 1995 Quebec referendum - Africa

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One of the most pressing issues in Chrétien's final year in office was Canada's relationship with the United States. Chrétien had a close relationship with President Bill Clinton, after attacking Brian Mulroney for being too friendly with both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, but the fact that many of his cabinet ministers and aides had little respect for George W. Bush was highlighted in a few embarrassing off-the-cuff remarks that found their way into the media. Chrétien's lack of support for the Iraq war was likewise criticized by some as a damaging move for the historic Canadian-US military alliance.

Related Topics:
Bill Clinton - Brian Mulroney - Ronald Reagan - George H.W. Bush - George W. Bush - Iraq war

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Though Chrétien failed to make significant moves on such matters while in office, decisions on health care, same-sex marriage, municipal issues, and drug laws will also be very important to his successor.

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Very soon after his retirement, Chrétien's legacy was marred by the sponsorship scandal. Although implicated, no direct evidence has yet been found directly linking him to it, however many of his closest and longtime political allies were fired from government jobs by his successor Paul Martin. The scandal also put a question mark over Chrétien's preferred style of governance, which had been in question long before his retirement due to various scandals, particularly involving cabinet minister Alfonso Gagliano. Martin has moved to sharply distance himself from the Chrétien legacy, although this is also due to the at times bitter political rivalry between the two men. Many of Chrétien's most loyal ministers were not included in Martin's cabinet, and one, Sheila Copps, later lost the Liberal nomination in her riding.

Related Topics:
Sponsorship scandal - Paul Martin - Sheila Copps

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