By Peter Donolo, Guest Contributor for Art's History.Of all of Canada's prime ministers, only Wilfrid Laurier spent more years in the House of Commons than Jean Chrétien.  That's why Chrétien's maiden speech from 1963 is so fascinating; it's a chance to compare the newly-elected 29-year old MP with the prime minister I worked for four decades later, and the man I know today.Not surprisingly - for anyone with even a passing acquaintance with Mr. Chrétien's remarkable career - what stands out is the constancy of the man and his approach to life and to politics.In so many ways, it's all there in that rookie speech:His deep pride in and identification with his roots as a French Canadian, a Quebecer and a son of the Mauricie.  His commitment to equality and his gut-level abhorrence of discrimination - in this case against the francophones of his province.  His pragmatic approach to government and problem solving - from sharing powers with the provinces to extricating the Pearson government from its BOMARC pickle.  His preoccupation with a confident, autonomous Canada, independent from the United States.  His fearlessness in confronting separatists.  His respect for institutions and experience - in this case, Prime Minister Lester Pearson.  His unabashed progressivism.  And, of course, his sense of fun and his ability to use humour and irony to skewer political opponents - the object in this early speech being Creditiste leader Real Caouette, whose Chrysler dealer ownership opens him up to some effective humorous jabs.And this is before Jean Chrétien spent decades visiting virtually every community in every region of Canada, acquiring an unequalled sense of the country and its people.  Before he became the longest serving cabinet minister in our country's history, mastering one complex portfolio after another, and wrestling with - and often resolving - one seemingly intractable challenge after another.  Before, in fact, he learned Canada's other official language - English.All that growth and maturing was still to come in May of 1963.  But the essence of the man - the leadership skills, the values and the irrepressible personality of one of Canada's most successful and consequential prime ministers - is all vividly on display in this maiden speech.[caption id="attachment_558443" align="aligncenter" width="330"] Jean Chrétien, 1967[/caption]Peter Donolo served as Director of Communications to the Rt Hon Jean Chretien in the Prime Minister's Office (1993-99) and in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition (1991-93).  He is currently Vice Chair of Hill + Knowlton Strategies Canada.