Today in Canada’s Political History: Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announces his resignation – sort of

In a wily move worthy of Sir John A. Macdonald or Mackenzie King, Jean Chrétien announced on this date in 2002 that he would be stepping down as Liberal Party leader and PM. But in revealing his plan Chrétien had a surprise. Yes, he said, he’d be stepping down – in 18 months!

It was a brilliant tactical move that caught his opponents flat-footed.

 “For 40 years the Liberal Party has been like family to me,” he told caucus gathered in retreat in Quebec. “Its best interests are bred in my bones. I have reflected on the best way to bring back unity. To end the fighting. To resume interrupted friendships …. I will not run again. I will fulfil my mandate and focus entirely on governing from now until February 2004. At which time my work will be done and at which time my successor will be chosen.”

In the end, Chrétien left office in December of 2003 after delivering three majority mandates for his party. Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist.  He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy.  A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.


Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist. He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy. A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.