A look back at the political career of “the little boy from Shawinigan” Jean Chrétien

On the dawn of his 90th birthday, lively and always ready to punctuate his stories with a joke, the former Liberal leader receives us in the privacy of his home in Ottawa’s chic Rockcliffe district. Jean Chrétien agrees to delve into his memoirs to relive with us, no doubt, what was the zenith of his political career.

30, 60, 90. Jean Chrétien likes to talk about combinations of these numbers. I was elected a Vice President in April 1963, 60 years ago and I will soon be 90., he said. Add the anniversary of his accession and the combination is perfect. 30, 60 and 90, it’s a funny coincidenceHe says.

A political journey Little boy from Shawinigan Started at Laval University as president of the Young Liberals, then in 1963 as Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice and then in 1968 as a minister under the government of Pierre-Eliot Trudeau. He became party leader in 1990 and finally prime minister three years later.

When we evoke the memory of this victory, Jean Chrétien first thinks of the joy of the moment, which quickly gave way to a strong sense of truth and responsibility, he emphasizes.

Good days when you win an election, that’s always good. And then if you become the prime minister of the country, what you have won is a big prize and the next morning the work only begins.

A politician in spite of himself

In an interview on the show Behind the curtain of powerThe aspiring architect mentions that his father guided him into politics.

Dad said, “No, no, no, you’re going to law school, you’re not going to be chosen as an architect.” In those days, if Dad said anything, we would listen. He wanted to get a politician and he got a politician.

Jean Chrétien’s career followed that of his father. An intoxicating journey, but fraught with dangers. It is not easy in politicsThe former Liberal leader agrees.

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Throughout the victories, defeats, controversies and strong moments, one thing is fundamentally clear: His reason for being in politics has continued to be driven by his lifelong passion. Do what he can.

I did my best and then I got selected. I don’t want to break records, I could have broken many, but that’s not it. No, no, I loved politics!

With a mischievous air – as he still says it in front of the press – at the height of the controversy, Have a good sleepHe Never listened to the news before closing my eyes.

Liberal brand

We cannot discuss an autumn afternoon in the capital with Jean Chrétien without discussing the evolution of the party he has led for more than a decade.

As a former Liberal leader, if The future of the party cannot be writtenMr. Chrétien confidently affirms this Changes and evolves with your boss.

It is a fact that the party which has existed since 1867 is the only party which has not had to change its name till now.

On the subject of the 1995 referendum, in response to those who accused the Yes camp of almost losing Canada, Jean Chrétien was unmoved: the question was not posed well.

He acknowledged that the referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty was orchestrated by Jacques Pariseau. A quick change. As for the return of the sovereignty movement, Mr. Chrétien didn’t believe it. Young people seem to have turned to that side moved on to something else, He says.

A more “theoretical” way to do politics?

Now looking to the future, Jean Chrétien observes a tendency for countries to draw closer to themselves. It is an event not goodHe believes.

He also observes the tendency to simplify debates and politicians becoming stuck in their positions. Fixed not wanting to moveAt the same time, Canada is a country that practices politics with an attitude Moderate.

Extreme parties pay a price for extremes […] If we are not dogmatic, we are flexible.

Recalls Joel Lightpound’s comments in an interview on the show Behind the curtain of power, which discussed the dangers of polarizing political debates in the House of Commons. These push the public and politicians to adopt a posture that is less open to opposing views, but more cynical about politics.

To conclude this retrospective of the life of a giant of Canadian political history, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on November 1st, he tells us with a laugh the secret to his longevity: good genes, but above all : Work continuously and go to office at 9 am everyday.

To see, Sunday from 11 on the show Les Coulisses du Pouvoir h, here RDI and ICI TV