Chrétien, (Joseph Jacques) Jean

Chrétien, (Joseph Jacques) Jean (b. 11 Jan. 1934). Prime Minister of Canada 1993–2003 Born at Shawinigan, Quebec, he studied law at Laval University and was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1958. He became a member of the House of Commons for the Liberal Party in 1963, serving in various ministries including National Revenue (1968), Indian Affairs (1968–74), Industry, Trade, and Commerce (1976–7), Finance (1977–9), Energy, Mines, and Resources (1982–4). In 1980, he campaigned actively for the government in the Quebec referendum against sovereignty, supporting Trudeau's promise of a lasting constitutional settlement which would include the province's aspirations. He was then put in charge of the constitutional negotiations (1980–2) which led to the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. However, this failed to satisfy many Quebeckers, who never quite forgave him for what they considered his broken promise.

He returned from political retirement in 1990, when he was asked to lead a disunited and demoralized Liberal Party. He became leader of the opposition, and in 1993 his steady leadership, in contrast to that of the more erratic Campbell, ensured a comfortable victory for the Liberals. In his first years in office, Chrétien was faced with the growth of Quebec separatism, fuelled by the popularity of the charismatic Bouchard. He was able to overcome this challenge, and his efforts to keep Quebec within Canada were boosted by the appointment of Charest as Liberal leader in the province. Chrétien pursued a policy of economic liberalization and the reduction of the national debt. To benefit from the divisions within the fragmented opposition, he called two early elections in 1997 and 2000, both of which he won handsomely. In 2002 he faced great pressure for his resignation. His popularity was boosted by his decision not to support the US in the Iraq War, but on 12 December 2003 he resigned to make way for his rival, Paul Martin.