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The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Order of Canada

  • Companion of the Order of Canada

    Awarded on: 2007-05-03
    Invested on: 2008-02-22
    Before becoming Canada's 20th prime minister, Jean Chrétien had an active political career, holding a dozen ministerial portfolios. As justice minister, he was instrumental in repatriating the Constitution and adopting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As prime minister, he led the Liberal Party during three consecutive majority governments that stressed balanced budgets, national unity and Canada's place in the world. His government's legacy includes a number of social reform and humanitarian initiatives, such as recognition of same-sex unions and the abolition of landmines.