How Jean Chrétien avoided a crisis with his Minister of Finance

The resounding resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on December 16, the morning of her economic statement, was probably symptomatic of the weakness of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet and accelerated its fall, while Jean Chrétien had foiled a similar attempt with Paul Martin.

• Also read: Strong method against the United States: “You don’t win a hockey game with the defensive approach” – Jean Chrétien

The scene with M^me Freeland is described as “never before seen” and “history that is being written live,” by Éric Montigny, associate professor of political science at Laval University.

“Justin Trudeau was a controversial prime minister in the party for several months. The expected actions to rectify the situation did not come. It’s difficult to eject a sitting prime minister, but it’s not impossible. We remember the tension between Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien. But the current tension has never been so public,” he adds.

The contribution of Jean Pelletier

Sheila Copps, minister in Jean Chrétien’s government, had a front-row seat to see Paul Martin attempt to take power.

“Mr. Chrétien was still popular, unlike Mr. Trudeau currently. Mr. Martin made several attempts to become prime minister, including a list of endorsements from MPs,” she recalls.

As Canada prepared to host the G8 on June 26-27, 2002, a preparatory meeting was planned between the finance ministers of the Big Eight in Halifax on June 14-15. But Paul Martin will not participate, having been fired on June 2.

“Mr. Martin’s plan was to announce his resignation in front of the international group to lower the Canadian dollar and force Mr. Chrétien to leave. Mr. Chrétien learned that on Saturday (1^is June) Mr. Martin had arrived at the Finance office and large trucks had started tearing up documents. The next day, Mr. Chrétien contacted Mr. Martin to fire him. Jean Pelletier, Mr. Chrétien’s chief of staff (and former mayor of Quebec), did not take vacations in times of crisis. If Mr. Chrétien had not reacted, we would have had a national crisis like with Mr.^me Freeland», assure M^me Copps.

Errors

“Justin Trudeau should have known on Friday (December 13) that there would be a reaction from Mr.^me Freeland after the insult he gave him. Knowing that she didn’t accept him, what was her strategy? He should have put himself forward in this story. But he said nothing, which allowed M^me Freeland to take control of the narrative.”

The one who served for 20 years in the Canadian Parliament and who was Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Environment and also of Heritage is not kind to Justin Trudeau’s immediate entourage.

“His office is abominable. Chrystia Freeland was fired by Zoom. The next day, Mr. Trudeau’s aide, Katie Telford, published photos on social networks of herself shopping with her son in New York. It was ridiculous to post messages during this time. He should have fired M^me Telford two years ago. She was carrying personal letters from ministers which she showed to Mr. Trudeau,” deplores M.^me Copps.

• November 1993: Paul Martin becomes Minister of Finance in the government of Jean Chrétien who has just taken power.
• 2000: on the eve of the elections, the Martin clan attempts to oust Jean Chrétien from the leadership of the party.
• November 2000: Jean Chrétien is elected in the majority for the third time.
• June 2002: tensions are at their highest between the two men, Chrétien withdraws Finance from Martin who was preparing to resign and who once again becomes a simple deputy.
• August 2002: Jean Chrétien announces that he will step down at the beginning of 2004 although he intended to do so at the end of his mandate. He left his position as prime minister in December 2003.
• November 2003: Paul Martin becomes leader of the PLC and prime minister a month later.
• June 2004: the PLC wins a fourth election in a row, but loses its majority.
• January 2006: in the wake of the sponsorship scandal, the PLC is returned to the opposition at the end of the elections.