Jean Chrétien greeted Michael Ignatieff’s cross-country tour on Thursday – a meeting between the current Liberal Leader and the old master who took his party to three back-to-back majorities.
Mr. Ignatieff is battling a popularity problem. But Mr. Chrétien reminded reporters at a news conference in his hometown of Shawinigan, Que., that there were times before he became prime minister when his own chances of winning government were not considered good.
In his off-the-cuff style, Mr. Chrétien reminded press gallery veteran Craig Oliver that, in 1993, the CTV reporter had predicted a Liberal defeat. “And I became the prime minister four months after,” Mr. Chrétien said with Mr. Ignatieff at his side. “But your mother did not agree with you. Do you remember that? Yah. She had more judgment than you.”
Mr. Ignatieff will have similar success when people get to know him, Mr. Chrétien said. “I think people really want to replace [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper and that’s the only way to replace Mr. Harper: to make Mr. Ignatieff prime minister. And if you vote PQ or Bloc you lose it.”
One of the reasons that the Liberals have paired the two men – besides the obvious hope that some of Mr. Chrétien’s success will rub off on the man who now leads the party – is to set aside any rumours that the former prime minister would like the Liberals to form a coalition with the NDP.
Mr. Chrétien played a key role in coalition talks with New Democrats in late 2008 and he has told the CBC, “If it’s doable, let’s do it.” But on Thursday, he played down the concept.
“I talked about it because someone asked me questions, that’s all,” Mr. Chrétien said. “But it’s up to the leaders to decide. I have nothing to do with that. Except that Mr. Ignatieff and [NDP Leader Jack] Layton decided to have separate campaigns and so I am with Ignatieff.”
Co-operation between the two parties is not a new discussion, Mr. Chrétien said, noting that former Liberal prime minister Louis St. Laurent had described members of the CCF, the NDP’s predecessor, as Liberals in a hurry. “And they are still in a hurry but they are behind.”
Mr. Ignatieff said he will win the next election because he is offering a responsible government. “I am not like Mr. Harper. After an election – if I have a majority, if I have a minority – I am willing to work with whoever in order to respect the Parliament, in order to respect the citizens, in order to make progress for Canada by respecting Canadian institutions,” he said
When asked what he had learned from Mr. Chrétien, the Liberal Leader replied: “Oh, just about everything.
Mr. Chrétien, Mr. Ignatieff said, has been giving him advice since he entered politics. “Sometimes I take it, sometimes I don’t – but always with respect. This is the guy who did it all. This is the guy who climbed every mountain. It’s just an honour to be with him here.”
