Latest news with #Chrétien
Ottawa Citizen
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Mark Carney is on holidays. The government won't say where
Article content However, politicians weren't always so cagey. The Canadian Press reported than when Brian Mulroney was prime minister, he routinely informed reporters where he was vacationing. Former prime minister Jean Chrétien broke from the practice, causing what the media described as a 'furor' in 1993 when his office refused to follow protocol and disclose his week-long holiday at Florida's PGA National Golf Resort and Spa. Article content Article content Yet, holidays have long caused controversy: Free vacations at the hands of the wealthy Irving family caused a major problem in 2003 for Chrétien, who said politicians had every right to accept freebie holidays. Article content 'You know, we have the right to accept hospitality. I do accept hospitality once in a while. I visit my son-in-law, who has a lake, and I fish with him and I'm there with my grandson. Perhaps I should confess that,' Chrétien said at the time. (His son-in-law is billionaire Andre Desmarais.) Article content Article content It's not just Liberals, either. Article content Prime minister Stephen Harper's Labour Day visit to New York in 2011 — he saw a New York Yankees game and a Broadway show with his family — cost taxpayers some $45,000 and Peter MacKay, then the defence minister, had a military helicopter pick him and his buddies up during a fishing trip in July 2010.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Lloyd Axworthy accuses Carney of taking ‘bootlicking' approach to Trump
Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy speaks at a memorial service in Winnipeg on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods OTTAWA — Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a 'bootlicking' approach to U.S. President Donald Trump at the expense of Canadian values. 'You have to be principled, you have to be tactical, you have to be pragmatic. But you also have to be tough and know what you stand for,' Axworthy said in an interview with The Canadian Press. 'Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous.' Axworthy spoke to The Canadian Press after issuing an online broadside last Sunday against the Carney government. Axworthy, whom prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed as foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 2000, oversaw the Ottawa Treaty that banned landmines in numerous countries. He has been a prominent voice on international relations, including through advocacy with the World Refugee and Migration Council. In a blog post following the NATO summit — where alliance members agreed to Trump's demand for a massive increase in the alliance's defence spending target — Axworthy accused Carney and other world leaders of bending a knee to Trump. 'NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism,' Axworthy wrote, arguing it's dangerous to let defence policy be decided by 'the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump.' He also argued that the summit did not adequately push to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and instead committed alliance members to a level of defence spending that will lead to cuts to social programs and likely foreign aid. 'A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?' he wrote. In the interview, Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's exchange with Trump during the NATO summit — which saw Rutte refer to the president as 'daddy' — as an 'embarrassing' moment. He also said his concerns have been further bolstered by Carney's decision to rescind the digital services tax that targeted American tech giants, as the prime minister and Trump undertake what he calls 'secret' trade negotiations with no parliamentary scrutiny. 'When do we stop pretending it's all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?' he wrote in the blog post. Trump suggested in March that the U.S. might sell allies fighter jets that lack the same capabilities as those used by the U.S. military. Axworthy told The Canadian Press it's unwise to accept a situation where 'the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers.' Axworthy said he sees the Carney government pushing ahead with foreign policy and domestic legislation focused on economic security, while ignoring the need to invest in diplomacy to prevent conflicts and defend Canadian values abroad. Instead of solely focusing on military spending, he said Ottawa could mobilize investment and governments of various countries to have better freshwater management, because numerous countries are on track for major droughts that can lead to armed conflict. Axworthy said Carney's major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, has undercut reconciliation efforts with First Nations and the government 'ignored' Indigenous Peoples in its rush to get the bill passed. 'It's way past (just) being consulted. They have to be partners. They have to be involved. They're basically the third pillar of this country,' the former Manitoba MP said of Indigenous Peoples. 'You're going to get the machinery working, but you're going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way.' The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation and opted against shortening the 12-week summer break to give it more study. Carney's office has not yet responded for a request for comment. The prime minister himself was extolling the virtues of Canadian democracy Tuesday. 'We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist,' Carney said in his Canada Day remarks. 'In a world that's fraught with division … we've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build.' Axworthy noted that Carney came from a life outside politics and said that's among the reasons why he endorsed Chrystia Freeland instead of Carney in this year's Liberal leadership race. 'I don't think he's ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate,' he said in the interview. Axworthy repeated an idea he floated in January — that Ottawa should work with the countries Trump has talked of absorbing to mount a campaign to promote rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lloyd Axworthy accuses Carney of taking 'bootlicking' approach to Trump
OTTAWA — Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a "bootlicking" approach to U.S. President Donald Trump at the expense of Canadian values. "You have to be principled, you have to be tactical, you have to be pragmatic. But you also have to be tough and know what you stand for," Axworthy said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous." Axworthy spoke to The Canadian Press after issuing an online broadside last Sunday against the Carney government. Axworthy, whom prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed as foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 2000, oversaw the Ottawa Treaty that banned landmines in numerous countries. He has been a prominent voice on international relations, including through advocacy with the World Refugee and Migration Council. In a blog post following the NATO summit — where alliance members agreed to Trump's demand for a massive increase in the alliance's defence spending target — Axworthy accused Carney and other world leaders of bending a knee to Trump. "NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism," Axworthy wrote, arguing it's dangerous to let defence policy be decided by "the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump." He also argued that the summit did not adequately push to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and instead committed alliance members to a level of defence spending that will lead to cuts to social programs and likely foreign aid. "A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?" he wrote. In the interview, Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's exchange with Trump during the NATO summit — which saw Rutte refer to the president as "daddy" — as an "embarrassing" moment. He also said his concerns have been further bolstered by Carney's decision to rescind the digital services tax that targeted American tech giants, as the prime minister and Trump undertake what he calls "secret" trade negotiations with no parliamentary scrutiny. "When do we stop pretending it's all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?" he wrote in the blog post. Trump suggested in March that the U.S. might sell allies fighter jets that lack the same capabilities as those used by the U.S. military. Axworthy told The Canadian Press it's unwise to accept a situation where "the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers." Axworthy said he sees the Carney government pushing ahead with foreign policy and domestic legislation focused on economic security, while ignoring the need to invest in diplomacy to prevent conflicts and defend Canadian values abroad. Instead of solely focusing on military spending, he said Ottawa could mobilize investment and governments of various countries to have better freshwater management, because numerous countries are on track for major droughts that can lead to armed conflict. Axworthy said Carney's major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, has undercut reconciliation efforts with First Nations and the government "ignored" Indigenous Peoples in its rush to get the bill passed. "It's way past (just) being consulted. They have to be partners. They have to be involved. They're basically the third pillar of this country," the former Manitoba MP said of Indigenous Peoples. "You're going to get the machinery working, but you're going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way." The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation and opted against shortening the 12-week summer break to give it more study. Carney's office has not yet responded for a request for comment. The prime minister himself was extolling the virtues of Canadian democracy Tuesday. "We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist," Carney said in his Canada Day remarks. "In a world that's fraught with division … we've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build." Axworthy noted that Carney came from a life outside politics and said that's among the reasons why he endorsed Chrystia Freeland instead of Carney in this year's Liberal leadership race. "I don't think he's ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate," he said in the interview. Axworthy repeated an idea he floated in January — that Ottawa should work with the countries Trump has talked of absorbing to mount a campaign to promote rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Global News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
G7 leaders should ignore Donald Trump outbursts at Alberta summit: Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien says dignitaries attending next week's G7 leaders summit in Alberta should avoid engaging the 'crazy' from U.S. President Donald Trump. Chrétien, speaking Thursday at a conference in Calgary, said leaders can't predict what Trump might do, the president can be a bully and it would be best if the rest of the G7 leaders ignored any outbursts. 'If he has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy,' Chrétien said. 'Let him do it and keep talking normally.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Let him do it and keep talking normally." Chrétien said leaders should follow the example set by Prime Minister Mark Carney when he visited Trump at the White House last month. 'When Trump talked about Canada to be part of the United States, (Carney) just said, 'Canada is not for sale, the White House is not for sale, Buckingham Palace is not for sale,'' Chrétien said. Story continues below advertisement 'Trump said 'Never say never' (but Carney) didn't even reply. He just moved on with the discussion. It's the way to handle that.' Carney is hosting Trump and world leaders from France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union for the three-day summit starting Sunday in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Calgary. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Chrétien, who was speaking alongside his former deputy prime minister and finance minister John Manley, also said he supported Carney's decision to invite India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the summit. Carney has been criticized for the invitation, including by a member of his own Liberal caucus, due to ongoing tensions between Canada and India over foreign interference and the 2023 killing of Sikh separatism activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C. The RCMP has said it has evidence linking members of the Indian government to Singh's death. Story continues below advertisement 'It's always good to talk,' Chrétien said of the Modi invite. 'They will be able to talk and they will see there are other problems.' 'You have to navigate. You cannot always go on your high horse for every little problem you're confronted with.' Chrétien was one of two former Canadian prime ministers speaking at the conference, which is being hosted by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and the G7 Research Group. The university says the conference is meant to bring experts and officials together to explain key issues G7 leaders are facing heading into the summit. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also spoke at the conference. She said the possibility of an economic and security deal between Canada and the United States being signed at the G7 would be an extraordinary step. Story continues below advertisement But she urged Canada to continue finding new trading partners even if the relationship between the two countries begins to smooth over. 'Let's not take our foot off the gas,' Smith said. Former prime minister Joe Clark was to give the closing keynote speech.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Leaders should ignore Trump outbursts at G7 summit: former PM Chrétien
CALGARY – Former prime minister Jean Chrétien says dignitaries attending the upcoming G7 leaders summit in Alberta should avoid engaging the 'crazy' from U.S. President Donald Trump. Chrétien, speaking Thursday at a conference in Calgary, said leaders can't predict what Trump might do. He said the president can be a bully and it would be best if the rest of the G7 leaders ignored any outbursts. 'If he has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy,' Chrétien said. 'Let him do it, and keep talking normally.' Chrétien said leaders should follow the example set by Prime Minister Mark Carney when he visited Trump at the White House last month. 'When Trump talked about Canada to be part of the United States, (Carney) just said, 'Canada is not for sale, the White House is not for sale, Buckingham Palace is not for sale,'' Chrétien said. 'Trump said, 'Never say never,' (but Carney) didn't even reply. He just moved on with the discussion. It's the way to handle that.' Carney is hosting Trump and world leaders from France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union for the three-day summit starting Sunday in Kananaskis, located in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Calgary. Chrétien, speaking alongside his former deputy prime minister and finance minister John Manley, also said he supported Carney's decision to invite India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the summit. Carney has been criticized for the invitation, including by a member of his own Liberal caucus, due to ongoing tensions between Canada and India over foreign interference and the 2023 killing of Sikh separatism activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C. The RCMP has said it has evidence linking members of the Indian government to Singh's death. 'It's always good to talk,' Chrétien said of the Modi invite. 'They will be able to talk, and they will see there are other problems. 'You have to navigate. You cannot always go on your high horse for every little problem you're confronted with.' Chrétien was one of two former Canadian prime ministers speaking at the conference, hosted by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and the G7 Research Group. The university says the conference is meant to bring experts and officials together to explain key issues G7 leaders are facing heading into the summit. Former prime minister Joe Clark, born in High River, Alta., closed out the conference by urging greater ties with the U.K. and France. He also offered similar advice not to entertain any public theatre Trump may engage in during the summit. 'I don't think there's any point in throwing up our hands or criticizing (Trump),' Clark said. 'I think it would be wise to have more private dealings and fewer public dealings until the proclivities of the U.S. president change.' Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also spoke at the conference. She said the possibility of an economic and security deal between Canada and the United States being signed at the G7 would be an extraordinary step. She urged Canada to continue finding new trading partners, even if the relationship between the two countries begins to smooth over. 'Let's not take our foot off the gas,' Smith said. David Angell, current foreign and defence policy adviser to Carney, said on a separate panel that the world leaders are meeting 'at a moment of enormous flux globally, when tensions among G7 members are especially pronounced.' Carney announced Monday he's planning for Canada to meet NATO's spending guideline by early next year. Angell, a former Canadian ambassador to NATO, said the country made a mistake in allowing the defence industry to 'shift onto a kind of assumption of peacetime footing.' He said the G7 can be exceptionally consequential and no other process allows for discussion about the 'wicked issues' core to defence issues. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
