Daniel Morin
As Jean Chrétien prepares to end his eventful, decade-long tenure as Canada’s 20th Prime Minister, the University of Ottawa establishes a scholarship fund to recognize this eminent political figure.
University of Ottawa rector Gilles Patry announced the scholarships as part of the gala honouring Chrétien during the Liberal Party of Canada convention in Toronto on November 13. “The Jean Chrétien Scholarships salute the truly Canadian spirit of someone with humble beginnings, who followed an impressive path of public life with a passion and love for country and ultimately reaching Canada’s highest public office,” Patry said.
“A man of action, an exemplary leader, and a remarkable Canadian, Prime Minister Chrétien's tenacity has allowed him to make lasting contributions to Canadian politics and public policy. It is singularly appropriate that he be honoured with scholarships at the University of Ottawa – Canada's university.”
When fully endowed, there will be five Chrétien scholarships, each awarded to a student from a different region of Canada studying political science or public administration at the University of Ottawa.
In his speech to the liberal convention, Chrétien expressed his appreciation of the University’s gesture. “It is the best gift you could offer to me,” the Prime Minister said.
Chrétien’s political career took flight in 1963 with his first-time election to the House of Commons as MPP for the riding of Saint Maurice. During the decades that followed, he held several portfolios and served under six prime ministers. He took office as Canada’s 20th Prime Minister on November 4, 1993. Under his leadership, the Liberals formed three successive majority governments, a feat no Canadian prime minister had managed since Mackenzie King in 1945.
The Chrétien administration introduced several measures that were favourable to universities, an aspect that Prime Minister Chrétien himself noted in his speech as he mentioned the Canada Research Chairs, the Millennium Scholarships, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.
The University had previously recognized Chrétien’s contribution by conferring him an honorary doctorate in 1994. Over the years, the Prime Minister maintained a special relationship with the University. It was at the School of Information Technology and Engineering, for example, that he announced Canada’s plan of action to meet its targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Agreement, on August 12.
