Chapter 150: Prime Minister Jean Chrétien lays down lifelong lessons on leadership, liberalism, and longevity

Born in 1934, the 18th of 19 children in the small blue-collar town of Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Jean Chrétien has risen to become the "grandfather of Canada" and a definitive force in global politics for over 50 years.

 

Chrétien was one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in Canadian history and led three successive majority terms as leader of the Liberal Party from 1993 to 2003.

 

He famously said no to joining the US in the Iraq War (solidifying Canada's independence on foreign policy), signed the Kyoto Protocol (committing Canada to its first-ever international environmental agreement), established the Oceans Act (helping Canada become the first country to prioritize ocean health), creating the Clarity Act (to establish terms for secession movements after leading the 'No' side to victory in the 1995 Quebec Referendum), and leading Operation Yellow Ribbon which helped 40,000 Americans in the air and traveling through Canada on September 11, 2001 and beyond.

 

Let's put on a suit and tie and fly up to Ottawa, Canada to sit in the office of the 91-year-old leader—who still does meetings back-to-back three days a week!—and discuss the secrets of healthy living into your 90s... Canada on the global stage... how to get along with almost anyone... humility as a virtue... lessons from 63 years of marriage... thoughts on Alberta secession... the definition of liberal... how he said no to the Iraq war... and, of course, the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien's most formative books...

 

Huge thank you to Bob Wright, Bruce Hartley, and Monsieur Jean Chrétien for making this happen.

 

A rare and special conversation with a rare and special man.

 

Get ready to soak in so much wisdom.

 

Let's flip the page to Chapter 150 now...