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Jean Chrétien is coming back. The former Liberal prime minister, who won three majority governments and served in office from 1993 to 2003, will make an appearance Friday at an event in Brampton, Ont.
Mr. Chrétien, who has stayed pretty much out of the limelight since he retired in 2003 – he did speak at the Liberal leadership convention in 2006 – is to introduce Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion at a rally for the Brampton-Springdale Federal Young Liberals. This will be the first time he appears on the same stage as Mr. Dion in this campaign. Between 800 and 1,000 people are expected at Friday night's event.
In these last few days before the federal election this coming Tuesday, the Dion Liberals have been bringing out their former heavyweights. Former finance minister and Mr. Chrétien's successor, Paul Martin, introduced Mr. Dion at a Toronto luncheon speech Wednesday. Ralph Goodale, another former finance minister, was also there.
The Liberals are trying to emphasize the team, to take away from some of Mr. Dion's weaknesses as a leader. As well, they are trying re-focus the ballot box question on the economy, on which they believe they have a better record than the Harper Tories.
Former prime minister Jean Chretien speaks at the Canadian Bar Association annual meeting on Aug. 18, 2008, in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
Mr. Chrétien has been absent in this campaign as his wife, Aline, has undergone heart surgery in Montreal. That surgery was successful and she is recuperating in Montreal.
