Creteil, Jean (Chrtien Jean)

(p. 1934)
Born in Shovinigane (Quebec), January 11, 1934. He was educated at Laval University in Quebec, practiced law before his election to Parliament in 1963. He served in the government bureaucracy with Pearson and Trudeau, served as Minister of State (1967), Minister of income (1968), Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (1968-1974). In 1977 was appointed finance minister in 1980-1982 he was Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, in 1982-1984, Minister of Energy in 1984 as vice-premier. Adhered antiseparatistskih positions advocated the unity of the English-speaking and French-speaking parts of Canada. Left the House of Commons in 1986, but was re-elected to Parliament in 1990 and in the same year he became the leader of the Liberal Party, defeating the Liberals in Congress over Paul Martin. After the victory of the liberals in the general election in October 1993, Chretien became Prime Minister. Under him, Canada ratified the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which entered into force on January 1, 1994. After that, the main concern was preventing the separation Chretien of Quebec, he introduced a package of bills aimed at to give Quebec's unique status among all Canadian provinces. Measures austerity in public spending have reduced the budget deficit by 70% in the period 1994-1997. Despite falling ratings, Chretien managed to retain his post at the elections in June 1997.