24 October 2008 'Chrétien left a time bomb'
Prime MPaulMartin inister Stephen Harper's decision to cut taxes to garner short-term political gain could make...
Friday 27 June 2008 OTTAWA: COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF FORMER PM IN SPONSORSHIP CASE
Federal Court of Canada has ruled in favour of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in a case connected to a scandal involving federal public relations contracts. Mr. Chrétien and his former chief of staff, Jean Pelletier, had asked the court to override a finding of the retired judge who conducted an inquiry into the scandal. Among Judge John Gomery's findings was the diversion of $1.1 million of spending for the PR program to the Quebec wing of Mr. Chrétien's then governing Liberal Party. The judge's report found that the former prime minister and his chief of staff were responsible for "omissions" in their direction of the "sponsorship" program although they bore no personal blame. But Federal Court has ruled that remarks made by Judge Gomery in the course of his inquiry indicated bias against Mr. Chrétien.
Thursday 18 October 2007 William Johnson . Canada was undefended
In My Years as Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien reveals he has learned little from allowing the country's 1995 near-death experience Past prime ministers must be judged on a host of issues, but one outweighs all others: "Keeping Canada united is the single most important responsibility of every national government and every prime minister," writes the author of Jean Chrétien: My Years as Prime Minister, published this week. He should know, because he led the country to the brink of breakup in the Quebec referendum of Oct. 30, 1995. ....Mr. Parizeau went on television to repudiate the Constitution of Canada: "We never signed it. The 1982 Constitution, that the judge reproaches us for not following it in all its terms, that Charter was refused by René Lévesque; then it was refused by premier Pierre-Marc Johnson; it was refused by Robert Bourassa; it was refused by Daniel Johnson; it was refused by me."
So what did Prime Minister Chrétien do to uphold the law? Absolutely nothing.
Monday 15 October 2007 OTTAWA: STRONG REACTIONS TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER'S MEMOIRS
Political adversaries of former prime minister Jean Chretien were quick to react to reviews of his latest memoirs entitled 'My Years as Prime Minister.' The large book speaks frankly about his three terms as leader of a majority government in the 1990s and into the twenty-first century. In a revelation, Mr. Chretien admits that he would not have accepted the outcome of the referendum on Quebec's sovereignty in 1995 if it had passed by a small majority. In reaction, the leader of Quebec's separatist Bloc Quebecois party, Gilles Duceppe, accused Mr. Chretien of lying to Quebecers a few days before the referendum when he indicated that he would accept its outcome. In his new book, Mr. Chretien also regrets that he decided not to fire his finance minister, Paul Martin, who succeeded him as prime minister. Mr. Chretien describes Mr. Martin as a disloyal man who plotted secretly to depose him.
Tuesday 09 October 2007 OTTAWA: FORMER PM OUT OF HOSPITAL
Seventy-three-year-old former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has been released from hospital in Montreal after undergoing emergency heart surgery on Wednesday and is continuing his recovery at home. A quadruple bypass operation repaired a coronary blockage before it damaged the organ.
Wednesday 03 October 2007 Chretien undergoes successful heart surgery OTTAWA - Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery Wednesday at the Montreal Heart Institute.
Chretien, 73, had cancelled a speech Tuesday at an Asia-Pacific mining conference in Vancouver, with event's organizers saying the cancellation came after his doctor had advised him not to travel from Ottawa.
The head of the surgery department at the hospital, Dr. Michel Pellerin, operated on Chretien.
Friday 12 January 2007 TORONTO: CHRETIEN CONFIDENT PASSPORT CONFLICT WILL BE SOLVED
Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien says he's confident Canada and the United States will find a way to solve their border security issues without causing cross-border traffic to grind to a halt. Mr. Chretien appeared Wednesday at the Professional Convention Management Association conference in Toronto alongside Newt Gingrich, a Republican and former US House of Representatives speaker. The pair spoke about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires air travellers to carry a passport to enter the United States, starting January 23rd. Mr. Chretien said many Canadians already have a passport, but it will be a problem convincing Americans to get the identification. He said travellers can cross several national borders in Europe without any significant delays and requirements and common sense should prevail to keep travel flowing in North America. Organizers said about 3,000 PCMA delegates attended the speaking event which capped off a four-day conference for members of the convention and meeting industry.
Friday Dec 2, 2005 rci The former chief of staff of former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on Wednesday followed the example set by Mr. Chrétien only a few hours before by asking Federal Court of Canada to overturn the preliminary findings of a judge's report on the ongoing scandal involving federal public relations contracts. Jean Pelletier's suit alleges that the recent report by Justice John Gomery is biased, exceeded his mandate and was based on incorrect facts. The report said that there is no evidence that Mr. Chrétien was aware of wrongdoing but that he was ultimately responsible for it together with his chief of staff, Mr. Pelletier. Mr. Martin fired Mr. Pelletier from his later post as chairman of Via Rail, the country's passenger rail service. Last month, Federal Court ordered him reinstated, arguing that he should have been told why he was fired and given a chance to defend himself.
Thursday Dec 1, 2005 rci Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has filed a suit in Federal Court of Canada in response to a preliminary report by a judge on a federal scandal involving public relations contracts. Mr. Chrétien wants the court either to quash the report entirely or to order the suppression of passages that are critical of him. Justice John Gomery had been conducting a public inquiry into the now defunct "sponsorship" program. The scandal erupted last February after the federal auditor general reported that $100 million of the $250 million spent on the program aimed at improving the federal image in the province of Quebec had been mostly embezzled by PR firms. In his preliminary report published several weeks ago, the judge wrote that there is no evidence that Mr. Chrétien was aware of wrongdoing, but that he was ultimately responsible for it and with his chief of staff, Jean Pelletier. Mr. Chrétien suit says the judge erred in taking the word of a retired federal official, Chuck Guité, who ran the "sponsorship" program at the public works department. The former prime minister also accuses Justice Gomery of failed to investigate several important aspects of the affair and to give proper notice that his findings might be critical of Mr. Chrétien.
Saturday Nov 19, 2005 rci
OTTAWA: FORMER CHRÉTIEN LOYALIST ORDERED REINSTATED
Federal Court of Canada has ruled that the former chief of staff of former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien must be reinstated to his position as chairman of Via Rail. The court found that the firing of Jean Pelletier by the prime minister, Mr. Martin, in March 2004, was unjustified and must be reversed. Mr. Martin fired several Chrétien appointees at agencies that were involved in the ongoing scandal involving federal public relations contracts. During most of the period of the now defunct "sponsorship" program, Mr. Pelletier was the prime minister's chief of staff. A preliminary report by an independent investigator earlier this month found that he had failed to take "the most elementary precautions" against the mismanagement of the program. PR firms squandered $100 million in return for little or no work in the program aimed at improving the federal image in the province of Quebec.
Tuesday Nov 8, 2005 cc Gomery puts blame on Chrétien
Report to red flag Guité, Gagliano, Corriveau and Pelletier, but not Martin; coverage at 10 a.m. EST
Thursday Nov 3, 2005 maisonneuve.org/ CHRÉTIEN GETS ROASTED The publication of Justice John
Gomery’s long-awaited report into the sponsorship scandal dominates
the The Big Six’s leads this news cycle. As was widely expected,
Gomery’s report is especially hard on officials in former prime
minister Jean Chrétien’s government and Liberal Party organizers in
Quebec. The
Globe reports that the Gomery commission identified two sources for the
misconduct: Jean Chrétien’s office, which “was wrong to get so
deeply involved in the management of the sponsorship program, in
particular with the direct meetings between PMO chief of staff Jean
Pelletier and then-bureaucrat Chuck Guité,” and Quebec Liberal and
longtime Chrétien supporter Jacques Corriveau, who “put in place a
‘kickback scheme’ in favour of the Quebec wing of the Liberal
Party of Canada.” Gomery also takes aim at Alfonso Gagliano, saying
the disgraced former politician “must accept a share of the blame
for tolerating the improper methods employed to finance the activities of
the [Quebec wing of the Liberal Party] during the years when he was the
Quebec lieutenant of the Liberal Party of Canada.” Paul Martin was,
in Gomery’s words, “exonerated.”
The
Citizen goes inside with the Martin government’s reaction to the
report. The prime minister has handed over the report to the RCMP for
criminal investigation, and has banned ten prominent members from the
Liberal Party, including Gagliano and Corriveau. Martin also announced
that the Liberal Party would reimburse taxpayers to the tune of $1.14
million for donations the inquiry found had been siphoned from the
sponsorship program. The
Post leads with Chrétien’s intention of challenging
Gomery’s findings before a federal court. The former prime minister
alleges Gomery was biased against him, citing as evidence Gomery’s
“small-town cheap” remark about the infamous signature golf
balls. The
Citizen reports that “Mr. Chrétien won the right to take the
matter to federal court, if he liked, after a little-publicized court
victory in June.”
Thursday Nov 3, 2005 rci Meanwhile, Mr. Chrétien says he'll ask Federal Court of Canada to throw out Justice Gomery's report, which he claims contains serious errors. He says that although he regrets any wrongdoing, the report errs in concluding that people involved in kickback schemes were responsible to top Liberal politicians. The former prime minister says the judge was mistaken in accepting the word of Chuck Guité, the retired civil servant who administered the "sponsorship" program. He also says he asked the federal auditor general and federal police to investigate in 2002 as soon as he heard of wrongdoing.
Friday Oct 28, 2005 globe Gomery placed Chrétien on notice Former PM reacted angrily to warning that judge was considering an allegation of misconduct against him Ottawa — Lawyers for Jean Chrétien requested a private meeting with Mr. Justice John Gomery after the former prime minister received a letter saying the head of the sponsorship inquiry was considering making an allegation of misconduct against him, The Globe and Mail has learned.
Friday Jun 10, 2005 rci Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien says feels "betrayed" by the ongoing scandal about a defunct federal public relations program. Mr. Chrétien was prime minister during the period between 1997 and 2003 that the "sponsorship" program with the purpose of improving the federal image in the largely French-speaking province of Quebec. Mr. Chrétien says that those involved betrayed him, the government and the whole country. The independent Gomery Commission last week concluded public hearings to find out how $100 million of the $250 million spent on the program ended up in the hands of PR firms friendly to the Liberal Party. The testimony uncovered numerous instances of improprieties and possibly of corruption. Mr. Justice John Gomery will make his final report in December. [Chrétien "betrayed" us!]
Monday May 23, 2005 The Gomery independent inquiry into the scandal over federal public relations contracts continued on Friday. The Commission heard from the lawyer representing former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Mr. Chrétien was in office during most of the time between 1995 and 2003 when the "sponsorship" program was in operation. His lawyer told the Commission that Mr. Chrétien told two former public works ministers to intervene within the department when allegations about irregularities in the problem started becoming public, and that the former minister will testify to that effect next week. Mr. Chrétien designed the program to improve the federal image in Quebec after the province's separatist government only narrowly lost a referendum on political sovereignty in 1995. The Commission is trying to find out how $100 million of the $250 million spent on it ended up in the hands of PR firms friendly to the governing Liberal Party, with little or no work having been performed in return.
Saturday May 21, 2005 Chretien acted quickly: lawyer
Two former public works ministers will tell the Gomery inquiry their one-time boss, Jean Chretien, acted quickly to stamp out alleged sponsorship wrongdoings, Chretien's lawyer said Friday.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2005 ts Liberals` feud goes public
OTTAWA—Warren Kinsella, a longtime Jean Chrétien loyalist, publicly traded insults and accusations with two of Prime Minister Paul Martin`s closest confidantes yesterday as opposition MPs used a Commons investigation to expose raw Liberal party wounds.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2005 ts Submarine problems Chrétien`s `legacy`
OTTAWA—Jean Chrétien`s four-year delay in deciding whether to buy four used British submarines left them sitting "unattended" in salt water, causing the technical problems that have plagued the boats and may have even cost a sailor his life.
Friday Apr 15, 2005 A friend of former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has denied an allegation of dishonesty put forward by an earlier witness last week at the Gomery Commission. The Commission is trying to find out how $100 million of the $250 million spent on the public relations project ended up in the hands of PR firms that did little or nothing to earn it. Former advertising executive Jean Brault testified last week that graphic designer and Chrétien associate Jacques Corriveau was part of a conspiracy to use "sponsorship" contracts to funnel more than $1 million to the governing Liberal Party. Mr. Corriveau on Thursday denied it and also averred that he never discussed the "sponsorship" program with his friend, Mr. Chrétien. The three opposition political parties represented in the House of Commons have threatened to bring down the minority government of his successor, Paul Martin, over the affair.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 np Chrétien ally made $6.7M
Montreal—After arranging for lucrative commissions if he could snare sponsorship contracts, a close ally of Jean Chrétien raked in a $6.7-million cut of the federal program in just five years, the Gomery inquiry was told yesterday. [make them give it back]
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 np Chretien's office called shots,
Adman points at Pmo: Chretien's office called shots, witness says; PM claims moral authority to govern
MONTREAL - The Prime Minister's Office under Jean Chretien had the ultimate say in which groups or events got money from the federal sponsorship program, the Gomery inquiry was told yesterday.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 ts Witness ties Chrétien to sponsorship project
Montreal—Jean Chrétien was directly linked for the first time to a specific project in the sponsorship program yesterday by a lobbyist who testified he overheard a telephone conversation between the then prime minister and a long-time loyalist discussing a deal.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 see John Gomery A former federal Liberal Party organizer and advertising man has suggested that at least on one occasion there was a direct link between former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and the defunct "sponsorship" program.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 ts Witness ties Chrétien to sponsorship project
Montreal—Jean Chrétien was directly linked for the first time to a specific project in the sponsorship program yesterday by a lobbyist who testified he overheard a telephone conversation between the then prime minister and a long-time loyalist discussing a deal.
Sunday Apr 10, 2005 np Chretien got $30K: adman
MONTREAL - A Groupaction employee of sponsorship whistle-blower Jean Brault yesterday told Judge John Gomery that his boss kicked in $30,000 to Jean Chretien's 1993 election campaign in his efforts to secure federal government contracts.
Saturday Apr 9, 2005 np Money went to Chrétien: adman
Alain Renaud, a former fundraiser for the national Liberal Party, said at the sponsorship inquiry that Jean Brault donated $50,000 to Jean Chrétien's 1993 election campaign.
Saturday Apr 9, 2005 ts Inquiry edges toward ex-PM
MONTREAL—The man at the centre of the sponsorship scandal gave money to Jean Chrétien`s election campaign in 1993 as an "investment" to get government contracts.
Saturday Apr 9, 2005 ts If Chrétien isn`t to blame for scandal mess, who is?
Ottawa—Where will the buck stop? Will it stop at a few mechanics skilfully oiling the sponsorship machinery, or at the top?
Wednesday Apr 6, 2005 OTTAWA: FORMER PM GETS COURT DATE IN PR INQUIRY Federal Court of Canada has set June 7 as the date for a hearing for a request by former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to have removed the judge who is conducting the seven-month inquiry into the scandal involving federal public relations contracts during the time when he was in office. Mr. Chrétien contends that Justice John Gomery is biased. The Gomery Commission is trying to discover how $100 million of the $250 million spent on the defunct "sponsorship" program found its way into the coffers of PR firms friendly with his governing Liberal Party, with little or no work having been done. Critics accused the former prime minister of trying to undermine the evidence which the Commission has gathered so far. The deputy Conservative Party leader, Peter Mackay, says that a new judge would be forced to start the inquiry all over. One of Mr. Chrétien's lawyers denies that that is his client's aim or that a new Commissioner would have to start from scratch.
Tuesday Apr 5, 2005 ts Separatism`s unlikely ally
Jean Chrétien, a self-styled little guy who never backed down, made his career as a separatist-fighter. Now in his search for truth, Mr. Justice John Gomery is on the way to inadvertently redeploying the former prime minister as the independence movement`s doomsday weapon.
Monday Mar 28, 2005 rci OTTAWA: FORMER PM CHRETIEN JOINS CAPITAL MARCH
Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien was on hand Saturday to lend his support to an anti-Syrian protest in Ottawa.
A number of Lebanese Canadians turned out on Parliament Hill to encourage Canada's government to increase pressure on Lebanon to hasten the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
The government is Damascus is widely believed responsible for the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri last month.
Mr. Chretien said he wanted to pay homage to Mr. Hariri, who was a close friend.
He also said Mr. Hariri's death would lead to a new independence for Lebanon.
Mr. Chretien encouraged the Lebanese Canadians to continue with their cause. A UN report issued several days ago called for an international investigation into Mr. Hariri's death.
Thursday Feb 10, 2005 Former prime minister Jean Chrétien shows off his golf balls during testimony yesterday at the sponsorship inquiry. He brought several balls bearing signatures of world leaders that he’d received as gifts." Ex-PM gets out his balls ... and chips away at judge
OTTAWA—Jean Chrétien teed off on Justice John Gomery with a wicked shot just as the former prime minister was headed to the proverbial 19th hole. [what a waist if time!]
Thursday Feb 10, 2005 ts Defiant Chrétien scolds his critics
OTTAWA—A defiant Jean Chrétien has marched in to write his own pages in the history books and remove the taint of the controversial sponsorship program from his legacy.
Thursday Feb 10, 2005 Chrétien pulls his enemy closer
Paul Martin`s sponsorship headache has become a bit more of a migraine.
Saturday Feb 5, 2005 OTTAWA: AIDE TO FORMER PM MAKES STARTLING ADMISSION
A former aid to former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has made a surprising admission in testimony before the Gomery Commission, which is investigating the ongoing scandal over federal public relations contracts. Jean Carle was Mr. Chrétien's director of operations from 1993 to 1998, after which he became a vice-president at the Business Development Bank of Canada. While there, the BDC offered as part of the federal "sponsorship" program a loan of $250,000 to the producers of a television series about Canadian history. Mr. Carle testified that the public works department, which operated the program, wanted to contribute an additional $125,000 for the series but didn't want the expenditure to appear in its records. The prime minister's former aide said that he then helped devise a phoney paper trail to conceal the transaction. Mr. Justice John Gomery is trying to find out how $100 million of the $250 million spent on the "sponsorship" program ended up in the hands of PR firms that did little or nothing in return.
Saturday Jan 29, 2005 OTTAWA: FEDERAL LAWYERS TO BACK JUDGE IN SCANDAL INQUIRY The Canadian Press news agency cites senior federal officials as revealing that government lawyers taking part in the inquiry into the scandal of federal public relations contracts will support the continuation of its head, Justice John Gomery. CP reports that the government lawyers will take that position in oral arguments on Monday. Earlier in the week, lawyers representing former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien recommended that he resign because of remarks which he made in interviews before Christmas which supposedly called into question his impartiality. Justice Gomery said that the "sponsorship" program was a managerial disaster and called some of the witnesses liars. He also speculated that the outcome could have an impact of the minority government of Mr. Chrétien's successor, Paul Martin. The government lawyers will say the comments were ill-advised but that this isn't sufficient for him to quit. The inquiry is trying to find out how $100 million of the $250 million spent on federal PR contracts was embezzled or squandered, in return for little or no work. Mr. Chrétien was prime minister during the 1997-2003 period when the "sponsorship" program was operated.
Judge may go to court for secret documents
OTTAWA—The clash between the judge running the sponsorship inquiry and Jean Chrétien took on a new dimension yesterday when Justice John Gomery revealed he might go to court to obtain more secret cabinet documents from the Liberal government.
Thursday Jan 27, 2005 ts In `real world,` judges talk
OTTAWA—Justice John Gomery has raised eyebrows in the legal community by giving media interviews in the midst of the high-profile sponsorship inquiry. But legal experts say they are not persuaded by former prime minister Jean Chrétien`s accusation that Gomery is too biased to continue his investigation.
Wednesday Jan 26, 2005 ts Hands off inquiry, Harper tells PM
OTTAWA—Jean Chrétien is attempting to force Justice John Gomery to step down as head of the inquiry into the biggest scandal ever to hit his Liberal government.
Wednesday Jan 26, 2005 cbc CHRÉTIEN LAWYERS WANT GOMERY OUT
Lawyers for former prime minister Jean Chrétien on Tuesday demanded
the man running the sponsorship inquiry step down, accusing him of
losing his objectivity. [he must be doing a good job?]
Wednesday Jan 12, 2005 ts Chretien`s lawyer slams Gomery
OTTAWA - Jean Chretien`s lawyer yesterday accused the head of the sponsorship inquiry of compromising his impartiality and said the courts may be asked to remove Justice John Gomery from that post.
Tuesday Jan 11, 2005 wn As of Monday, January 17th, ME Douglas Robertson [*.doc] will be joining the firm of Heenan Blaikie here in Montreal as a partner in its corporate-commercial practice section and chairman of the firm’s newly established International Business Law group. In the latter role I will be working closely with the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien and colleagues across the country to expand the firm’s global reach. more *.doc
Dec 9, 2004 ts Chretien warned about sponsorship
Canada's top bureaucrat warned her boss - then-prime minister Jean Chretien - in 1996 that his government needed a formal unity strategy before giving Public Works $17 million to begin the controversial Quebec sponsorship program. .... Chretien had sole authority over the fund and any request required his approval.
Wednesday 31 Mar 2004 ts Chrétien had role in grants: Probe
OTTAWA—Jean Chrétien`s office directly participated in decisions on which projects received hefty promotional grants from the government in the 1990s, the sponsorship inquiry was told yesterday.
Wednesday 31 Mar 2004 ts Chrétien gets role in feud over Russian oil company
MOSCOW—Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is working to resolve one of the most high-profile legal disputes in the world: the year-long battle over the fate of Russian oil giant Yukos.
Wednesday 31 Mar 2004 ts RANDY QUAN FOR THE TORONTO STAR Former prime minister Jean Chretien answers questions at a lecture he gave at the Commonwealth Institute in London, England yesterday. In his first major speech since leaving office in December, Chretien seemed to suggest the Liberals had nothing to be ashamed about and lots to be proud of. Chrétien defends his record
LONDON—Dogged by questions about a financial scandal he left behind, former prime minister Jean Chrétien has defended his years in power as a time when government integrity and competence were enhanced.
Monday 29 Mar 2004 cbc CHRÉTIEN DELIVERS THINLY VEILED CRITICISM OF MARTIN GOVERNMENT
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien has used an overseas speech to
defend what he called his "record of good governance and competent
administration." It's being seen as his response to the sponsorship
scandal and the attempt by current Prime Minister Paul Martin to
distance himself from Chrétien's Liberal government.
Monday 29 Mar 2004 cbc Prime Minister Paul Martin and his predecessor Jean Chretien keep their distance yesterday at the funeral of Liberal elder statesman Mitchell sharp in Ottawa. Sharp, whom Martin called =one of Canada's great builders,= died March 19 at the age of 92. Ottawa's elite pays tribute to Sharp
Chrétien, Martin ignore each other at the funeral
Old rivals come to praise mentor, not bury hatchet OTTAWA—Barely 10 metres separated them but the gap between Prime Minister Paul Martin and predecessor Jean Chrétien in a crowded church yesterday might as well have been a canyon.
Saturday Jan 24, 2004 bbc SHAWINIGAN HONOURS ITS 'LITTLE GUY'
The "little guy from Shawinigan" entered his hometown's hall of fame for
great residents Thursday night, boasting about his political legacy and
brushing aside questions about how the sponsorship scandal might taint
that legacy.
Tuesday 2 Mar 2004 ts VIA boss fired - who`s next?
Prime Minister Paul Martin has launched an assault to the heart of Jean Chrétien`s old political regime in Ottawa, firing VIA Rail chairman Jean Pelletier in the name of a radical "culture shift."
Sunday 15 Feb 2004 ts Ministers face questioning in scandal
Four ministers under Jean Chretien and a clutch of senior bureaucrats were cited Friday as potential witnesses in the sponsorship scandal inquiry. Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, as well as former ministers Alfonso Gagliano, Don Boudria and David Dingwall were on the list sent by Auditor General Sheila Fraser to a House of Commons committee
[Jean Chretien must also be a witnesses!]
FONT class="newsheadingcolour">Global National
What did he know? Friday, February 13, 2004 -- This was day four of the sponsorship scandal and with each day it develops new twists and the road gets foggier. But stick with us through this because it is complex. First thing we want to do is report on a development on the prime minister's version of what he knew about the scandal when he was minister of finance in the Chretien government.
Sunday 15 Feb 2004 ts Chrétien staying mum, associate says
OTTAWA—Jean Chrétien has no current plans to speak publicly about the scandal that has plunged the federal Liberals into turmoil, says an associate of the former prime minister.
Sunday 15 Feb 2004 OTTAWA: THE RIFT AMONG LIBERALS CONTINUES TO GROW
Friends of former prime minister Jean Chretien have vowed to strike
back with "every conceivable measure" if his successor, Paul Martin,
drags Mr. Chretien into the sponsorship scandal. Some Liberals are
outraged at insinuations from Martin staffers that Mr. Chretien's
inner circle is to blame for the scheme that bilked $100 million from
the public purse. One Chretien loyalist who asked not to be
identified said the old boss still has a few political and legal
weapons at his disposal. Mr. Martin said Friday that he wasn't
worried about a civil war in the party, noting the leadership race is
over. He said he takes responsibility for dealing with the issue --
and will deal with it. Mr. Martin has hinted the Chretien
administration provided "political direction" in the sponsorship
scheme, saying people around the former prime minister kept Mr.
Martin in the dark on Quebec-related files. Mr. Chretien is currently
in China on a business trip.
Tuesday Jan 6, 2004 ts `Hard worker' Chrétien starts new job
Second ex-PM to join Heenan Blaikie
Gets Trudeau's old office at law firm
Thursday Jan 1, 2004 cbc Chretien officially joins Montreal law firm
Former prime minister Jean Chretien has joined Heenan Blaikie LLP, the law firm announced Monday.
MONTREAL: FORMER PM JOINS LAW FIRM
Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has joined the prominent
Montreal law firm Heenan Blaikie. The firm says Mr. Chrétien will be
based in Ottawa, but will also work out of offices elsewhere,
including Montreal. The late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau joined
Heenan Blaikie after leaving politics. Mr. Chrétien retired from
politics last month to be replaced by the current prime minister,
Paul Martin.
2003
December 9, 2003: cbc
It's Dec. 9 and that means there's just 16 more days until Christmas. With time being so short, the Internet's high-speed capabilities is precisely the tool we need to help keep up with the passing time. Let Mike Woloschuk help make the web work for you this holiday season.
Monday Dec 1, 2003 OTTAWA - French President Jacques Chirac's summer vacation in Quebec has cost Canadian taxpayers $200,000.
According to documents obtained by the Canadian Press under Access to Information legislation, the bill for Chirac's protection and security for his visit this past summer came to $184,000.
The major portion of security expenses was due to overtime hours logged by RCMP officers. The documents reported $129,000 for overtime, $33,000 for accommodations and $16,000 for meals. The remainder of the bill was spent on assorted expenses, from telephone services to vehicle repairs.
The French president chose North Hatley for his vacations, which lasted from August 2-19. During his visit, he met with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Premier Jean Charest.
Monday Nov 10, 2003 bbc Canada's Chretien bids farewell
Prime Minister Jean Chretien says goodbye to his Liberal Party but sets no firm date for his departure from office.
Mr Chretien, who has been in office for 10 years, listed his achievements, which include eliminating Canada's budget deficit and promoting growth.
He drew cheers for invoking Canada's independence in not sending troops to join the US-led war against Iraq.
Monday Nov 10, 2003 oc History museum's cost soars: officials
Jean Chrétien's new Canada History Centre, estimated at its grand announcement last May to cost $90-million, will cost taxpayers at least one-third more, the Public Works Department has warned.
Monday Nov 10, 2003 MONTREAL: JUSTIN TRUDEAU AGREES TO CHRETIEN REQUEST
Justin Trudeau, the eldest son of the late former Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau, will host Prime Minister Jean Chretien's farewell
party at the Liberal leadership convention on Thursday. Mr. Trudeau
says he had not even planned to attend convention but accepted when
Mr. Chretien personally him to serve as master of ceremonies at the
farewell party Mr. Trudeau, who is 30, says he's known Mr. Chretien
all his life. He says the private Chretien is much different from the
man Canadians see in public. Mr. Trudeau says the private Chretien is
gentler, more human and more real. Mr. Trudeau chuckled when asked if
he ever saw himself stepping into his father's and Mr. Chretien's
shoes as prime minister. "It remains something that is nothing but a
distant possibility," said Mr. Trudeau, who recently left teaching to
study engineering. "I have so much living to do before I ever go near
there."
Sunday Nov 9, 2003 cbc SOME IMPORTANT LEGISLATION IN DANGER OF DYING
Federal MPs are leaving Ottawa this weekend with a lot of work left
undone. And it's not clear when they will be back to finish it.
Friday Nov 7, 2003 gaz Pricey wine's quick return by Customs sour to Bloc
The Bloc Québécois is calling for an investigation after Customs officials broke speed records in overturning the seizure of two cases of Bordeaux wine worth $600 U.S. a bottle destined for the country estate of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's son-in-law.
Thursday Nov 6, 2003 CHRÉTIEN MAKES FLURRY OF APPOINTMENTS: REPORT
As Liberals get set to celebrate Jean Chrétien's 10th anniversary
in power Wednesday, a published report says the prime minister is making
dozens of senior appointments.
Monday Oct 27, 2003 Don't spend one dollar, Via warned
A spokesman for Paul Martin warned Via Rail yesterday not to "plan on spending one dollar" of the nearly $700-million the current government promised it, the strongest public disagreement yet between the outgoing administration of Jean Chrétien and his successor.
Oct 25, 2003 CHRÉTIEN MARKS POLITICAL ANNIVERSARY
Donning a Sikh ceremonial kerchief and wading barefoot in sacred waters
far from home, Jean Chrétien marked the 10th anniversary Sunday of
the election which put him in the prime minister's office.
Sunday Oct 26, 2003 AMRITSAR: CHRETIEN SHRUGS OFF CRITICS IN MARTIN CAMP
Prime Minister Chretien Saturday rejected any suggestion he could tie
down likely successor Paul Martin with spending promises made over
the coming months, including $700 million for Via Rail announced
Friday. The five-year infusion of cash for Via to revitalize the
national passenger rail network drew a quick response Friday from a
Martin spokesman, who warned that the plan would be reviewed after
Mr. Chretien retires in February -- and the money may never flow. The
opposition Canadian Alliance pounced on the contradictory messages,
saying the new Via spending was meant to handcuff Mr. Martin to a
flawed, long-term commitment. In India, Mr. Chretien shrugged off the
accusation, saying the $700 million for Via was part of the annual
budget approved by cabinet.
Monday Oct 27, 2003 cc Not so fast, Via warned
Plans to spend nearly $700 million to upgrade passenger train travel across Canada began to derail yesterday when Paul Martin's office served notice the package for Montreal-based Via Rail could be scrapped once Martin becomes prime minister.
Monday Oct 27, 2003 cc Clarkson's plane fare soars past $1M
Canadians paid more than $1 million for Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson to travel aboard the federal government's Challenger and Airbus jets over the past year, documents show.
Sunday Oct 26, 2003 NEW DELHI: PM HEADS HOME AFTER ASIAN TRIP
Prime Minister Jean Chretien Saturday has wrapped his eight-day trip
to Asia with a two-day official visit to India. On Saturday, Mr.
Chretien marked the tenth anniversary of his first election victory
as Liberal leader with a visit to the holiest site in the Sikh
religion. Mr. Chretien went to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He was
the first Western political leader in 50 years to visit the temple.
Later, he opened a new Canadian consular office in the Sikh-dominated
region of Punjab. On Friday, Mr. Chretien met with Indian Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and signed co-operation agreements on
counter-terrorism and cultural exchanges. Mr. Chretien's stop in
India was the last leg of a trip that included Afghanistan, the
Asia-Pacific conference in Thailand and China.
Wednesday Oct 22, 2003 bbc CHRÉTIEN OFFERS HANDSHAKE, NO REBUKE FOR MALAYSIAN PM
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien shook hands with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the APEC summit but did not condemn the
leader for comments about Jews "ruling the world."
Tuesday, 21 October, 2003 bbc PM DENIES PLAN TO SEND TROOPS INTO QUEBEC
Members of the federal cabinet on Tuesday denied there was ever a plan
to send Canadian forces into Quebec, had the separatist forces won the
1995 referendum.
Tuesday, 21 October, 2003 bbc CHRÉTIEN OFFERS HANDSHAKE, NO REBUKE FOR MALAYSIAN PM
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien shook hands with Malaysian Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the APEC summit but did not condemn the
leader for comments about Jews "ruling the world."
OTTAWA: MPs WRATHFUL OVER PM'S HANDSHAKE WITH MALAYSIAN LEADER
Meanwhile back in Ottawa, opposition Members of Parliament
reprimanded their prime minister for having shaken hands with the
host of the APEC summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Mr. Mahathir caused astonishment and consternation in some quarters
when he accused Jews of involvement in an insidious conspiracy to
dominate the world in his welcoming address. An MP for the opposition
New Democratic Party, Val Meredith, pointed out that leaders from
Australia, Germany, Spain and the European Union had denounced the
claim. The MP also noted that U.S. President George W. Bush had taken
Mr. Mahathir aside to chide him for the remarks. Mr. Chrétien says he
didn't discuss the remarks with his host and had shaken his hand as a
normal courtesy. Meanwhile, Mr. Mahathir has repeated his belief that
Jews rule the world. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, he says
that widespread criticism of his remark last week proves he was
right. Mr. Mahathir also said that reports that Mr. Bush had rebuked
him were wrong.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2003 PM was told jet purchase a waste, but spent $100 million anyway
Canada's top bureaucrat raised questions in 2002 about the "cost effectiveness" of buying new executive jets for the prime minister and other ministers only two months before Jean Chrétien hastily awarded an untendered $100-million contract to Bombardier Inc. for two new Challenger jets.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2003Chrétien silent on racist outburst
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien failed yesterday to join the international outrage over Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's public pronunciation that Jews "rule this world by proxy" and that Muslims should rise against them for a "final victory."
Vice-regal costs soar to $35M
A Commons committee was astonished to learn yesterday that Canadians' cost of maintaining the office of Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson grew to $35 million last year, including more than $7 million spent on repairs and renovations to Rideau Hall.
Wednesday Oct 22, 2003 BEIJING: CHRÉTIEN CONTINUES ASIAN SWING IN CHINA
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien began his sixth visit to China
as prime minister late Tuesday. The prime minister will meet with
high-ranking Chinese officials but not with President Hu Jintao, who
is travelling. Mr. Chrétien had an opportunity to present Canada's
sales pitch to China's new president earlier in the week at the
summit in Bangkok, Thailand, of the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Co-operation forum. Trade between Canada and China is worth
$20 billion a year, but China exports four times more goods in terms
of value than it imports from Canada. Mr. Chrétien will try to
reverse that trend by persuading the Chinese to buy Canada Candu
nuclear reactors, as well as hydro-electric energy equipment,
building materials and telecommunications services. Earlier at the
end of the two-day APEC summit, the 21 leaders agreed to crack down
on terrorist groups and take stronger steps to stop the spread of
weapons of mass destruction. Also on Tuesday, Mr. Chrétien told U.S.
President George W. Bush that Canada is spending more on aid for Iraq
than all of the European Union nations together.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2003 OTTAWA, BANGKOK: FEDERAL LIBERALS BLASTED OVER PLANE PURCHASES Canada's two right-wing political parties together attacked Mr.
Chrétien's government for its purchases of two executive jets for
government use from the Bombardier Aerospace without bidding. The
leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, Peter MacKay, told the
House of Commons on Monday that the purchases are a "shocking,
self-serving, disgraceful abuse of public office." Earlier, there
were reports that the federal auditor-general, Sheila Fraser, intends
to criticize the purchases in her next annual report. The leader of
the Canadian Alliance party, Stephen Harper, accused the government
of intending to delay the release of the report until Mr. Chrétien
leaves office in February. The report is due on Nov. 25. But the
prime minister could cut short the present parliamentary session
before then, thus delaying its release until the next session begins
in February. In Bangkok, Mr. Chrétien defended the acquisition of the
planes, saying the government merely wished to give Canada's
aerospace industry a boost, and giving his ministers opportunities to
show off Canadian technology as well.
Monday Oct 20, 2003 cbc CHRÉTIEN DEFENDS SPENDING ON JETS
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has dismissed reports that his
government recklessly misspent millions of taxpayers dollars.
Sunday Oct 19, 2003 TORONTO: REPORT COULD HIT CHRETIEN CLOSE TO HOME
The Globe and Mail reports Auditor General Sheila Fraser's next
report will accuse the government of wasting $100 million on two
Challenger business jets that weren't needed. Ms. Fraser will
reportedly claim that rules were bent or broken to get the jets'
purchase through. The Globe quotes sources as saying the report will
cut close to Prime Minister Jean Chretien. It will say Mr. Chretien
was personally involved in the purchase of the jets last year, and
placed a key lieutenant, Alfonso Gagliano, in charge of Ottawa's
advertising and polling programs. The report is also said to accuse
the government of using Crown corporations to funnel millions of
dollars to Liberal-friendly advertising firms. Ms. Fraser's report is
due to be tabled on November 25th. But Mr. Chretien may close down
Parliament just before the Liberal leadership convention, which is in
four weeks. That could delay the tabling of Ms. Fraser's report until
after Mr. Chretien retires in February.
Wednesday Oct 15, 2003 OTTAWA: PM SET FOR ASIAN TOUR
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien will leave on Friday for a 10-day trip to Asia. Mr. Chrétien will first attend the summit in Bangkok, Thailand, of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation grouping of nations. The prime minister will then travel to China, where he'll try to persuade the Chinese to buy more Canadian nuclear reactors. China has bought two Candu reactors at a cost of $2 billion. Mr. Chrétien will finally pay visits in India to New Delhi and to Chandigar, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana states. There have been unconfirmed reports that Mr. Chrétien will stop in Kabul while on his way to Bangkok to reassure Afghan President Hamid Karzai of Canada's continuing support for Afghanistan's reconstruction.
Sunday Oct 5, 2003 OTTAWA: CHRETIEN SAYS MARIJUANA BILL'S TIME HAS COME
Prime Minister Jean Chretien says the time is right to decriminalize
marijuana -- and jokes he may even fire up a joint once legislation
passes. Mr. Chretien told the Winnipeg Free Press: "I will have my
money for my fine and a joint in the other hand." Reporter Paul
Samyn, who interviewed the Mr. Chretien, said the prime minister was
obviously joking when he made the remarks that appeared in Saturday's
edition of his paper. In the interview, Mr. Chretien said moving to
decriminalize pot is a way of dealing with reality. He said the
reality is that no one wants kids who experiment with pot to end up
with criminal records for the rest of their lives.
Sunday Oct 5, 2003 cbc PM INFLAMES MARIJUANA OPPONENTS
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is coming under heavy criticism for
some off-the-cuff remarks he made about smoking marijuana.
Wednesday Oct 1, 2003 cbc FRASER CALLS FOR RCMP PROBE INTO RADWANSKI
The auditor general has asked for an RCMP investigation into former
privacy commissioner George Radwanski and top officials in his office.
'Reign of terror'
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien washed his hands yesterday of his own appointment of former privacy commissioner George Radwanski, saying the job is a House of Commons post, filled with the approval of the Commons.
Global National Tax and spend spend spend Tuesday, September 30, 2003 -- This year you sent $11 million to Ottawa to fund an office to protect your privacy from invasive governments and businesses. Tonight George Radwanski, who ran that office until resigning in June, is accused of such serious mismanagement of your money, that the RCMP is being asked to investigate whether his actions were criminal. These are some of the most damaging allegations of mismanagement ever leveled at an officer of parliament. <
Wednesday Oct 1, 2003 OTTAWA: CANADA TO GO AHEAD WITH DRUG PLAN FOR AFRICA
A top Canadian politician says the federal government is pushing
ahead rapidly with a plan to export generic pharmaceutical drugs to
countries plagued with diseases like malaria and HIV- AIDS,
particularly those of sub-Saharan Africa. Paul Martin says there's no
time to waste in allowing the AIDS-ravaged countries of southern
Africa access to generic drugs. Mr. Martin is expected to be elected
leader of the governing Liberal Party and then become prime minister
of Canada when Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien retires from
politics in February. On Aug. 30, Canada and other member states of
the World Trade Organization decided to override patent rules to
allow generic drugs manufactured in industrialized nations to be
exported to certain countries that are too poor to buy expansive
brand-name drugs. The pharmaceutical firms that develop and
manufacture the drugs will receive small payments. These firms had
been hoping an eventual Prime Minister Martin would kill the WTO
initiative.
Sunday Sep 28, 2003 cc Chretien rebuffs Martin efforts to start talking transition immediately
Paul Martin is anxious to plunge into the government transition process but an unmoved Prime Minister Jean Chretien stands firmly in his former rival's path. "There is no negotiation of transition," Chretien said after a cabinet meeting. "When the time comes, we'll discuss (transition) in a civilized way." see Paul Martin
Friday Sep 26, 2003 cbc PM TELLS SUCCESSOR TO BE PATIENT
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien says he has no plans to discuss the
transition of power five months before his retirement.
Sunday Sep 21, 2003 np PM's riding gets $1.6M to help fund horse show
Since Jean Chrétien became prime minister in 1993, the federal government has spread millions of dollars around his home town to develop it as a beacon for tourism, museums and fine arts. ...Grant for Shawinigan added to millions to transform town into tourism hotspot
The multimedia horse riding show, called "Voltige" in French and "Cavalia" in English, opened to sell-out performances in Shawinigan earlier this month. It is to travel to Toronto in October, thanks to federal support.
The $1.65-million grant was quietly unveiled in July by Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale and Attorney General Martin Cauchon, the Liberal government's political minister in Quebec. ...The premiere was held on Sept. 5 in Shawinigan and was attended by the prime minister, and his wife, Aline.
As they exited the inaugural performance, Mr. Chrétien told a reporter from Le Nouvelliste, a Trois-Rivieres daily newspaper, the show was "fantastic."
"I was really impressed by what I just saw," he said.
Over 25,000 residents and tourists paid $38 each to see 14 shows in Shawinigan.
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the federal economic development agency in Quebec, provided the $1.65 million grant to "support the promotion and marketing of Voltige on American markets." Claude Drouin, the Minister Responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, said the injection of federal money is also expected to create 84 jobs in its first year and generate over $8 million in investment.
Tuesday Sep 2, 2003 np Lifelong friend of Chrétiens secures third term on arts board
A Shawinigan, Que., artist who has been a lifelong friend of Aline Chrétien was re-appointed earlier this year to her third three-year term on the board of trustees of the National Gallery only a few months before the announcement of special art exhibitions in the prime minister's hometown. [she could be a good person for the job]
Tuesday Sep 2, 2003 np Canadians want PM out by year's end
More than 50 per cent of Canadians want Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to speed up his retirement plans by 21/2 months if the Liberals elect Paul Martin to succeed him as party leader in November, an exclusive Global National poll shows. [the sooner the better ]
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 OTTAWA: GOVT. TAKES FIRST STEP TO IMPLEMENT GLOBAL WARMING ACCORD Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has announced a series of measures involving spending $1 billion dollars to fulfil Canada's commitment to implement the Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming. The money will be spent on a variety of measures to persuade consumers and industry to conserve energy and to reduce pollution. Major funding will be made available to support hydrogen fuel technology, to increase production of ethanol and to create cleaner fossil fuels. The plan includes rebates for home-owners who improve the fuel efficiency of their homes. The package is calculated to reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming by between 12 and 20 megatonnes. But to implement the Kyoto accord, Canada will have to cut pollution by 240 megatonnes by 2010. The next round of measures will involve negotiation between the government and large industrial emitters and automakers to set more fuel-efficient standards for new cars. Canada's official opposition party, the Canadian Alliance, has denounced the spending of $1 billion for new environmental measures. Its leader, Stephen Harper, says most Canadians would prefer the money be spent on health care or come in the form of tax cuts.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc CBC.ca News Feature: Kyoto Protocol
Where does Canada stand now? Read Jean Chretien's speech
on what Canada will spend on the plan. Go behind the headlines
with CBC.ca's indepth Kyoto reports at:cbc
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc OTTAWA PLEDGES $1 BILLION TO BACK KYOTO
The federal government unveiled a billion-dollar plan for battling
global climate change Tuesday, but it takes Canada only a small step
toward meeting its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc CHRÉTIEN STANDS FIRM ON SAME-SEX UNION
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said Tuesday that he will not let
religious objections alter his stand on same-sex marriage.
Thursday Jul 24, 2003 OTTAWA: PM SAYS HE WON'T BE FORCED OUT
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien says he won't allow himself to be forced to retire earlier than he has planned by this week's political developments within his governing Liberal Party. Mr. Chrétien says he's in charge of the government and will remain so until his planned retirement next February. Mr. Chrétien was asked about his plans on Wednesday as a result of the decision announced on Tuesday by his deputy prime minister, John Manley, to withdraw from their party's leadership campaign. Mr. Manley's decision leaves only two candidates in the leadership race. They are federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and a former finance minister, Paul Martin. Mr. Martin is widely expected to be elected Mr. Chrétien's successor as party leader. Mr. Manley says he expected Mr. Martin to become prime minister after the incumbent departs. Canada's defence minister, John McCallum, and the country's foreign minister, Mr. Graham, said on Wednesday that they regularly discuss policy issues with Mr. Martin. The former long-time finance minister now sits in the House of Commons as a backbench Member of Parliament. Mr. Chrétien says the situation doesn't bother him but that in the end politicians' consultations don't matter, only their final opinions do.
Monday Jul 7, 2003 np Americans better off? Canadians say no
Poll shows 89% believe it's better to live in Canada
Sunday Jul 6, 2003 ts CANADA'S RANKING SLIPS LOWER ON UN LIST
Canada fell from third to eighth place on the United Nations' annual
human development report after spending most of the 1990s in the top
spot. Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States are all ahead of Canada on the United Nations Human Development Index. It will be released next week.
Canada first topped the list in 1992, holding the spot until 2001, when it dropped to number three.
[ don't blams Manley ...yet. Jean Chrétien was boss?]
Global National Canada's ranking Friday, July 04, 2003 -- Tonight Global National can exclusively report a point of immense pride for this country is about to take a huge hit. For nearly a decade the UN ranked Canada number one in the world in terms of quality of life. We were edged out a few years but not by much. Tonight, however, we can tell you that's all about to change. The UN is set to announce Canada has slipped all the way down to eighth. It can not help but change the way we think of ourselves in a world context and for our prime minister who took every opportunity to boast of our former lofty ranking. It's a hard blow to his legacy. Troy Reeb has the exclusive details tonight.
Fri Jul 5, 2003 ts Canada slips on U.N. list
We drop to 8th place in index based on quality of life
U.S., Australia, even Belgium ranked as better places to live
Sunday Jun 29, 2003 ts PM proud of gamble he took to pass clarity act
Sunday Jun 29, 2003 MONTREAL: PM LISTS SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Prime Minister Jean Chretien says the Clarity Act was one of the
biggest gambles of his career, but it's also one of the things of
which he is the most proud. Mr. Chretien made the comment in an
interview with the Montreal newspaper La Presse published Saturday.
Mr. Chretien said the consequences were clear: if he had failed, his
career was finished. Mr. Chretien devised the bill after Quebec
nearly voted to leave Confederation in the 1995 referendum. The bill
set tough ground rules, giving Ottawa the upper hand in any future
plebiscite. In the interview, Mr. Chretien also cited Liberal gains
in Quebec as a major accomplishment. When asked about scandals like
the Gagliano affair, the costly gun registry or the poor
administration of the Human Resources Department, Mr. Chretien blamed
civil servants. Mr. Chretien says he will return to practising law
after he steps down next February, and among other things he plans to
write a book.
Friday Jun 27, 2003 cc U.S. view not only one, Manley tells Americans"If you start to replace every government that is not to your liking, you might have a hell of a lot of jobs to do," Mr. Chrétien said.
Critics also blasted Mr. Chrétien yesterday for his statements that relations with the United States are better now than they were under the government of Brian Mulroney.
"It really is a fantasy to suggest that relations are better now," said Joe Clark, who was external affairs minister under Mr. Mulroney.
Progressive Conservative Senator Marjory LeBreton said she shared some laughs with Mr. Mulroney yesterday after reading excerpts from a newspaper interview with Mr. Chrétien.
Jun 15, 2003 cc Hammer joke falls flat with Liberal party boss
Eddie Goldenberg, the prime minister's new chief of staff, sent a bag of hammers to Liberal party president Stephen LeDrew yesterday with a nasty note expressing hope that it will "knock some sense into your head" for opposing Jean Chrétien's controversial political financing law. ....The prime minister eventually forced the legislation through Parliament earlier this month, but not before Mr. LeDrew won concessions that allowed political parties to rake in millions more in public funds that would have been lost in corporation and union donations under the new financing law.
global The Last Word for June 13
Chretien's reign won't leave much of a legacy
The end is near. And while the final curtain won't fall on Prime Minister Jean Chretien's reign for another seven months, the days of doing it his way are over. Calgary Herald columnist Don Martin has The Last Word for June 13.
Wednesday Jun 11, 2003 cbc MPS PASS BILL LIMITING POLITICAL DONATIONS
It took months of debate and some last-minute compromises, but Jean
Chrétien's bill to radically change political financing easily
passed the House of Commons Wednesday.
Wednesday Jun 11, 2003 ts PM defends donation bill
In the next election year, the cost to taxpayers will rise to $47.1 million from $37.2 million.
"It will make all the political parties less dependent on contributions from the industrial sector and so on," Chrétien said.
Under the deal, political parties will receive $1.75 in taxpayer funds for each vote received in the previous general election, up from the proposed $1.50 — a change that will result in an extra $1.3 million going to the Liberals alone.
Wednesday Apr 9, 2003 globe BAN ON CORPORATE MONEY 'MOST IMPORTANT' BILL IN OTTAWA: PM
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien hailed the end of corporate donations
to federal political parties Wednesday night at a $500-a-plate corporate
fundraiser for the Liberal party.
Wednesday Apr 9, 2003 globe Chrétien defends MPs who speak out on war
PM's effort to mend fences with U.S. falls short, business leaders and government officials say
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was showered with praise, applause and
good wishes from all parties in the House of Commons in recognition of
his years of political service.
Sunday Apr 6, 2003 OTTAWA: CHRETIEN'S ANNIVERSARY WILL BE LOW KEY
Prime Minister Jean Chretien will celebrate 40 years in federal
politics on Tuesday. The anniversary celebration will not have a lot
of pomp and ceremony. The prime minister has put the word out that he
wants a low-key celebration of the anniversary. It will be be almost
business as usual for the prime minister on Tuesday. He plans to
chair a cabinet meeting and attend question period in the afternoon.
In the evening, he's scheduled to speak in London, Ontario to the
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
Sunday Mar 23, 2003 OTTAWA: POLL SUGGESTS BACKING FOR CHRETIEN'S STAND
A new public opinion poll suggests that most Canadians believe the
federal government did the right thing by not committing troops to
the war against Iraq. The Ipsos-Reid survey found that 66 percent of
Canadians polled support prime minister Jean Chretien's handling of
the situation while 54 per cent say President Bush was wrong to order
the assault on Iraq. Prime Minister Chretien upset the opposition
parties and business leaders when he recently announced that Canada
would not send troops to the war. Meanwhile, the war in Iraq is
affecting the Quebec election campaign. At issue is whether the Iraqi
conflict is helping Premier Bernard Landry get re-elected on April
14th. The leader of Quebec's Action Democratique Party accused Mr.
Landry of shedding "crocodile tears" when he said he hopes the war
has no impact on the campaign.
Monday Mar 10, 2003
OTTAWA: CHRETIEN TO DISCUSS IRAQ ON US SUNDAY TV
Prime Minister Jean Chretien is scheduled to appear on a US
television news show on Sunday to talk about the looming war with
Iraq. The 15-minute interview, taped Saturday, was to air on "This
Week with George Stephanopoulos." The ABC Web site describes it as an
exclusive interview with Mr. Chretien, who is "trying to bridge the
gap between America and its allies." According to Prime Minister's
Office spokesman Jim Munson, Mr. Chretien discussed Iraq and the
Canadian discussion paper circulated at the United Nations in late
February. During a state visit to Mexico in late February, Mr.
Chretien said the concept of "regime change," as stated by the White
House, is a dangerous one. He also called for a peaceful compromise.
The transcript of the interview is to be posted Sunday morning on the
prime minister's Web site at www.pm.gc.ca.
Battle may come down to men of finance
At least four MPs have already joined the fight for a chance to replace Jean Chrétien as Liberal leader, but the race is widely expected to narrow down to a battle between two men: Paul Martin and John Manley.
2002
Monday Apr 26, 2004 ts Chrétien need not testify, MP says
OTTAWA—A Liberal MP says former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien should not have to testify at the public accounts committee investigating the sponsorship program, even though she says it`s clear his office was directly involved in political interference.
Thursday Dec 19, 2002 PM Kyoto based on 'gut feeling'
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's decision to ratify the Kyoto accord was based on a "gut feeling," not a detailed knowledge of the international treaty, Environment Minister David Anderson said yesterday. [and to hell with the cost]
Sunday Dec 1, 2002 OTTAWA: PM CONSIDERS BANNING CORPORATE POLITICAL DONATIONS
The Canadian Press news agency reports that Canadian Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien is considering the introduction of legislation to ban
corporation donations to federal political parties. According to CP,
the ban would apply to labour unions as well. Mr. Chrétien is said to
be worried that such donations create a public perception that
legislators are unduly influenced by special interests. CP says the
matter will likely be placed before the cabinet and the Liberal Party
caucus next week. Mr. Chrétien's governing Liberal Party may then
introduce legislation before Christmas, depending on the reaction. If
such a bill became law, Members of Parliament would depend more on
contributions from individuals and public funding for their political
campaigns. The official opposition party, the Canadian Alliance, says
corporations shouldn't be discriminated against if they want to take
part in the political process. The leader of the left-leaning New
Democratic Party, Alexa McDonough, says her party would lose $800,000
a year contributed by labour unions if the donation ban went into
effect. But she says the Liberals and the other parties would lose
even more. [all power to the little lesser informed people DTN]
Monday Nov 18, 2002 rci OTTAWA: CHRETIEN GOES TO PRAGUE THIS WEEK
Prime Minister Jean Chretien will travel to Prague this week to
attend a NATO summit. Leaders are expected to admit seven new members
from eastern Europe, despite turmoil in the region and allegations
that one country sold weapons parts to Iraq. Mr. Chretien supports a
growing consensus among the 19 allied states to allow Slovenia,
Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia into the
alliance as it tries to reinvent itself in the post-Cold War era. Two
other countries seeking entry, Macedonia and Albania, are expected to
be rejected. When asked about reports of sales of arms parts to Iraq
by Bulgaria, a Canadian official said Bulgaria had dealt
satisfactorily with the allegations thus far. Summit leaders are
expected to issue an anti-terrorism declaration and commit to
upgrading NATO forces with a 21,000-person rapid-response strike
force. Canadian officials have not said what resolutions NATO might
reach about Iraq, saying only the crisis is being dealt with through
the United Nations. They said the alliance supports the UN resolution
requiring Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to disclose all weapons of
mass destruction by a Dec. 8 deadline. NATO officials have said it
will be difficult to get unanimous consent on anything more than an
endorsement of the UN position because of Germany's opposition to war
with Iraq.
Wednesday Oct 9, 2002 cbc OTTAWA TO TIGHTEN SIN RULES
The federal government is taking steps to improve the security of the
Social Insurance Number (SIN) system.
Monday Sep 23, 2002 OTTAWA: THRONE SPEECH WILL DETAIL SPENDING HIKES
Sources say Prime Minister Jean Chretien will include a
multibillion-dollar promise to cities for improved transportation in
his throne speech next week. He'll kick it off by heading to the
border Wednesday to announce a $100-million-plus commitment to
improving the congested Windsor-Detroit corridor. That money is part
of last year's promise to improve Canada's urban roads and bridges.
But Mr. Chretien is expected to make similar announcements in the
coming months. The throne speech goes to cabinet for approval
Tuesday. Governor General Adrienne Clarkson will read it at the
opening of Parliament in a week's time to set the government's agenda
for the next 17 months. The promises will set the tone for the
governing Liberals long after he steps down in February 2004. Senior
officials say the agenda includes multi-year commitments that will go
on long after Mr. Chretien leaves the political scene.
CHRETIEN STEPPING DOWN
On August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced he would retire in early 2004.
Tuesday Jun 18, 2002 BBC
Sacking sparks Canadian censorship row
The publisher of an Ottawa newspaper is sacked after running an editorial that criticised Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
Jun 6th 2002 ec CANADA'S RIVALS Civil war in Canada's ruling party
CANADA'S prime minister, Jean Chretien, fired his long-term finance
minister and rival, Paul Martin, transferring the portfolio to John
Manley, the deputy prime minister. Mr Martin is expected to launch a
campaign to win the Liberal Party leadership.
Monday Jun 3, 2002 Canadian PM sacks rival
Prime Minister Jean Chretien reshuffles his cabinet, sacking a rival for the leadership, Paul Martin. by w-n/bbc Mike Fox
Jean Chrétien yesterday ruled out a snap election to end the Liberal power struggle with Paul Martin, but some of his loyalists have suggested the leadership review planned for February should be cancelled. Also Inside: Martin's sob story fails to convince -- The war has just begun, but Day One can be officially awarded to the Martin camp. They were everywhere, spinning madly, and by the end had convinced a majority of the press that Mr. Martin was the victim of the piece. Thus their first triumph, a resounding defeat of the facts.
11-28-00
To almost everyone’s surprise, Prime Minister Jean
Chrétien came out of the 2000 federal election with
a larger majority.
Andy Nulman 
Chretien undergoes successful heart surgery
SHAWINIGAN HONOURS ITS 'LITTLE GUY'
Canada's Chretien bids farewell
CHRÉTIEN DEFENDS SPENDING ON JETS
CANADA'S RANKING SLIPS LOWER ON UN LIST
AUDITOR GENERAL SAYS OTTAWA IGNORANT OF HEALTH CARE SPENDING
OTTAWA TO TIGHTEN SIN RULES
Bloomberg
get player
