'It is for him to decide': Former PM Chretien on whether Trudeau should run again
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says deciding when it's time to step down and leave politics is simple, but "very personal."
Chretien sat down with CTV鈥檚 Question Period host Vassy Kapelos for a wide-ranging exclusive interview to discuss how Canada has changed, when it鈥檚 time to leave politics and how to work with political opponents.
Chretien 鈥 who held the country's top job for a decade 鈥 turned 90 this week, after having also recently celebrated 30 years since he became prime minister, and 60 years since he became an MP.
鈥淚鈥檓 having a good time at my age,鈥 Chretien said.
Chretien stepped down as Liberal leader and prime minister in December 2003.
While the current prime minister has insisted he plans to run again in the next general election, which by then would also put him at a decade on the job, many have speculated over whether Trudeau will step down instead, handing over the reins to someone new.
鈥淚t is for him to decide 鈥 what is the best for him, what is the best for the party, and what is the best for the country,鈥 he also said. 鈥淎nd it's very personal decision.鈥
But when asked how difficult that decision is to make, Chretien said 鈥渋t鈥檚 easy.鈥
鈥淵ou have to make the right decision,鈥 he said. 鈥淎 decision is a decision.鈥
He added there will be many on both sides of the argument who will try to sway Trudeau鈥檚 choice, but that鈥檚 鈥渢he name of the game鈥 in politics, 鈥渁nd you have to live with it.鈥
With Chretien in a unique position of knowing when it鈥檚 time to leave political life, Kapelos asked what he would say if Trudeau sought his advice.
鈥淗e would not ask me,鈥 Chretien said. 鈥淪o why to debate?鈥
HIS MOST CONSEQUENTIAL CHOICES
Chretien listed three major decisions that he believes to be the most consequential during his time as prime minister.
The first, he said, was balancing the books, pulling the country out of a $42-billion deficit before delivering five successive balanced budgets.
Secondly, he said, was passing the Clarity Act, which laid out rules for referendums, following the 1995 Quebec referendum.
鈥淎 lot of people said 鈥楧on't do that, you're willing to start the storm鈥 and there was no storm,鈥 he said.
鈥淎nd after that when I said 鈥楴o鈥 to the war in Iraq,鈥 he added. 鈥淵ou know, it's something that was a very important decision to show that we were not the 51st state of America, that we were an independent country.鈥
WORKING WITH THE OPPOSITION
On the occasion of Chretien鈥檚 birthday celebration this week, former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper sent a video of well wishes.
鈥淗e even sang for me,鈥 Chretien said. 鈥淵ou know, people think that we're enemies. No. We are opponents, we're not enemies.鈥
He said in the decades he was in politics, he learned it鈥檚 like playing hockey: whatever happens on the ice, 鈥渁fter that we go together and have a beer.鈥
鈥淭hat is life,鈥 he added.
Working with those across the aisle in the House of Commons is essential to discuss ideas even when there are disagreements, Chretien said.
鈥淎nd in fact, in many ways, it's easier to be friendly for the people in front of you,鈥 he joked. 鈥淭hey're not trying to replace you from the back.鈥
Chretien also said there鈥檚 the benefit of hindsight, and looking back, it鈥檚 easier to see where there were friendships, and that everyone is there working to do better for the country.
HOW CANADA AND POLITICS HAVE CHANGED
When asked about the perception of politics today, and the idea that it resonates with people鈥檚 anger and frustrations, Chretien said not much has changed on that front since he was in power.
He said there will always be a reason for people to be discontent, pointing to the high interest rates and the national debt when he became prime minister, but also highlighting that Canada now has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, despite a cost-of-living crisis.
鈥淲e're doing quite well in Canada compared to anybody else,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd what I used to say is that when I look at myself, I despair, but when I compare myself, I feel very good.鈥
Chretien added that things often appear worse than they are, because bad news grabs attention.
鈥淎s I say, a dog who bites a man is not news, but if a man wants to bite a dog, it will be hell of a big news, and it's two animals doing the same thing,鈥 he said.
鈥淲e have to be realists and look at life and do what you can,鈥 he added. 鈥淎nd for me, I've always done my best, and I couldn't do better than my best.鈥
鈥淧erhaps my best was not good enough for some, but there's nothing I can do about it.鈥
You can watch Chretien鈥檚 full interview on CTV鈥檚 Question Period Sunday at 11 a.m. ET or in the video player at the top of this article.
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