Chretien to retire early (Dec. 12)

[Freddie Stubbs]

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced Tuesday that he will retire Dec. 12, clearing the way for Paul Martin to take the reins of power.

Chretien, who had long said he would hang on until February, revealed the early departure date after meeting with Martin, the newly anointed Liberal leader.

The move clears the way for Chretien's successor to open a fresh parliamentary session in the new year and start the clock ticking toward an expected spring election.

Martin said his top priorities will be to prepare a cabinet and set up the new Prime Minister's Office.

more: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/Liberal/2003/11/18/261427-cp.html

[pink_poodle]

1. And Martin is just ready to run down and kiss the................

arse of Bush. Great! Just what we need. sigh.

[Holly]

3. Don't be fooled

Martin won't be kissing up tp Bush. They will probably have a better friendlier relationship...but nothing will really change. Canada will go it's own way. Yes, we''ll participate in missel defence ( we would have under Chretien, the military will be beefed up (NATO obligations),gay marriage will be legal in Canada, pot reform will go through (eventually),border security will be improved and immigration won't change).I don't see a Martin visit to the ranch before Bush is voted out of office.

[TahitiNut]

2. Duplicate

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=226030