All parties pay tribute to Chrétien

[Spazito]

MPs from all parties paid a colourful tribute to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on his last likely day in the House of Commons Thursday, calling him a supporter of Canadian ideals, a tough politician and a man of integrity.

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Long-time caucus colleague Charles Caccia spoke passionately about Mr. Chrétien's impeccable political instinct. Mr. Caccia said he was confident that had Mr. Chrétien chosen to do so, he could have led the Liberals to their fourth consecutive majority government next spring.

<snip>

He was also recognized as a statesman who never lost sight of his love for Canada.

<snip>

Progressive Conservative MP Joe Clark said that while the two of them have disagreed often over the years, most recently, “I won some debating points, and he won another general election,” to which guffaws could be heard throughout the Commons.

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http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031106.wchret1105/BNStory/National/


(This Canadian also wishes Mr. Chretien all the best! He has served Canada well. He wasn't perfect but he loved and loves Canada, that cannot be disputed....and he knows the difference between a REAL president like Clinton versus a faux president like Bush!)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. I was often in disagreement with Chretien (i'm NDP)

but he earned my respect particularly in taking a stand over Iraq. Most definitely one of the best Liberals we've had in Canada.

[Maine-i-acs]

2. Pass the Dutchie, Jean.

Not such a bad track record when compared to his neighbor.

[Astarho]

3. I was in Canada when he was first elected

He impressed me then, although as an underage non-Canadian, I couldn't vote for him.

(The guy on the Royal Canadian Air Farce did a pretty good impression of him too.)