Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement today on the official unveiling of the portrait of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien:
“Seven years after former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien left the political spotlight, the majestic halls of Parliament Hill have a new-found glow as his official portrait is unveiled today. His image – along with his remarkable achievements – will now live on in history.
“Over his 40 years as an MP and his decade as one of this country’s most successful Prime Ministers, Mr. Chrétien has a proud legacy of public service that helped build the foundation of modern-day Canadian values. Through three consecutive Liberal majority governments as Canada’s 20th Prime Minister, Mr. Chrétien gave Canada progressive social policies and a healthy Canadian economy, including elimination of the deficit and six straight years of budget surpluses.
“A champion of national unity who also had a strong international reputation, Mr. Chrétien and his government led the way on some of this country’s most noted achievements, including passage of the Quebec Clarity Act, the creation of the Child Tax Benefit, the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and the international ban on land mines. He also set the stage for the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, pushed for the establishment of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and showed unwavering support for working with the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
“Jean Chrétien may still be known as ‘the little guy from Shawinigan,’ but Canadians revere him for his larger-than-life personality. A proud Quebecer, loving husband, father and grandfather, successful businessman and lawyer, with a sharp wit that never fails to entertain, Mr. Chrétien is a figure of great historical significance. It is only fitting that his portrait will hang beside those of other great Prime Ministers, including Pierre Trudeau and Lester B. Pearson.
“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I congratulate Mr. Chrétien on taking his permanent place in the halls of Parliament Hill.”
