As he begins his 90th birthday, the former Liberal leader, lively in spirit and always ready to punctuate his stories with a joke or two, welcomes us to the privacy of his residence in Ottawa’s fashionable Rockcliffe district. Jean Chrétien agrees to delve into his memories to relive with us what was undoubtedly the highlight of his political career.
30, 60, 90. Jean Chrétien likes to talk about this combination of numbers. “I was elected as an MP in April 1963, that was 60 years ago and I will soon be 90,” he said. If we add the anniversary of his coming to power, the combination is perfect. 30, 60 and 90, that’s a funny coincidence, he says.
The little guy from Shawinigan’s political career began at Laval University as leader of the Young Liberals, then in 1963 as MP for Saint-Maurice and then in 1968 as a minister in the government of Pierre-Elliott Trudeau. In 1990 he became party leader and three years later finally prime minister.
When we remember this victory, Jean Chrétien thinks first of the joy of the moment, which, as he emphasizes, quickly gives way to a strong sense of reality and responsibility.
It’s good days when you win an election, it’s always nice. And then when you become Prime Minister of the country, it’s a big prize that you just won, but the work starts the next morning.
politicians against his will
In an interview on the program Les Coulisses du Pouvoir, the man who wanted to be an architect states that it was his father who led him into politics.
Dad said, “No, no, no, you’re going to law school.” You will never be chosen as an architect.” Back then, when my father said something, we listened. He wanted a politician, he got one.
Jean Chrétien’s career is somewhat similar to what his father would have wanted. An exhilarating journey, but also full of pitfalls. It’s never easy in politics, admits the former Liberal leader.
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Jean Chrétien looks back on his political career with Daniel Thibeault.
Photo: Radio-Canada / David Richard
But through all the good times, the failures, the controversies and the strong moments, one thing is fundamentally clear: his motivation for getting involved in politics was always his desire to always do his best.
I did my best and then I was chosen. I didn’t want to break any records, I may have broken several, but that wasn’t it. No, no, I loved politics!
With a mischievous expression – because he says it anyway in front of journalists – he admits that at the height of the controversy, in order to sleep well, he never listened to the news before closing his eyes.
The liberal brand
We cannot discuss Jean Chrétien on an autumn afternoon in the capital without discussing the evolution of the party he led for more than a decade.
If, as a former leader of the Liberals, we cannot write about the future of the party, Mr. Chrétien confidently assures that it changes and evolves with its leader.
The fact is that it is a party that has existed since 1867 and is the only party that has never had to change its name.
As for the 1995 referendum, Jean Chrétien doesn’t budge when he answers those who accuse him of almost losing Canada to the Yes camp: the question is not well asked.
He acknowledges that the referendum on Quebec sovereignty conducted by Jacques Parizeau represented rapid change. As for a return of the sovereigntist movement, Mr. Chrétien does not believe. The tide seems to have turned and the young people have moved on, he says.
A more “doctrinaire” way of doing politics?
Looking to the future, Jean Chrétien observes a tendency for countries to close themselves off. A phenomenon that doesn’t bode well, he believes.
He also observes a trend towards simplifying debates and a polarization of politicians who want to stick to their strong positions and not give in, while Canada remains a country where politics is pursued in a moderate manner.
Parties that are too extreme pay the price for being too extreme […] When we are not doctrinaire, we are flexible.
Comments reminiscent of those made by Joël Lightbound in an interview on Les Coulisses du politique, who spoke of the dangers of polarizing political debates in the House of Commons. These are pushing the public and politicians to take a less open attitude towards opposing ideas, but also to be more cynical about politics.
To conclude this review of the career of a great man who shaped Canada’s political history, the man, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on November 1st, reveals to us with a grin the secret of his longevity: good genes, but above all : continue working and go to the office at 9 a.m. every day.
Can be seen in the show Les Coulisses du Pouvoir on Sunday, from 11 h, HERE RDI and ICI TV.