Jean Chretien

The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien PC OM CC KC (born January 11, 1934) is a legendary Canadian statesman, lawyer, and bestselling author who served as the 20th Prime Minister of Canada from 1993 to 2003. Affectionately self-described throughout his career as the "little guy from Shawinigan," he grew up in rural Quebec and built a monumental 40-year political legacy, leading the Liberal Party of Canada to three consecutive federal majority governments. Prior to his decade as Prime Minister, Chrétien held nine key cabinet posts—including serving as Canada's first francophone Minister of Finance and playing a central role in patriating the Canadian Constitution in 1982. He vaulted into the literary spotlight with his 1985 bestselling memoir Straight from the Heart, later returning to the craft to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his premiership by launching his widely praised essay series, My Stories, My Times (published in French as Mes Histoires). Written with his trademark candour and humour, these anecdotal compilations offer intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpses of his interactions with world leaders like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, alongside reflections on major historical turning points such as the 1995 Quebec referendum and the immediate aftermath of 9/11. He expanded this literary universe with My Stories, My Times, Volume 2. Today, he continues to practice corporate law in Ottawa and remains one of Canada’s most enduring public figures.