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Quote by Jean Chretien

“I didn't feel the need to have a lot of yes-men standing around me. As Mitchell Sharp once put it, the bigger the staff, the smaller the minister.”

Quote by Jean Chretien

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

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My Years as Prime Minister

This book provides an in-depth look at the experiences and challenges faced by the author during their time as Prime Minister, including political strategies, international relations, and the impact of their policies on the nation. more

Author

Jean Chretien, born on January 11, 1934, served as the Prime Minister of Canada twice, holding office for a total of 10 years. He was a significant figure in Canadian politics, known for his political wisdom and leadership skills. Under his leadership, Canada experienced economic prosperity and social reforms. more

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“The problem was, I enjoyed Question Period too much and loved the challenge it provided. Far from being a dreaded burden, it had become an exciting part of my life; opposition members attacked me, I fought back, I won or lost or held them to draw, and the next day we did it all over again.”

Problem Next Lost Challenges Too Much Periods Members Draws Exciting Burden Enjoyed Opposition Next Day

Author:Jean Chretien

“Canadian federalism is more than a form of government. It's also a system of values that allows different people in diverse communities to live and work together in harmony for the good of all.”

People Different Government Together Form Values Community Harmony Working Together Diverse Different Peoples Forms Of Government Federalism

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“Over the years, I have seen too many politicians ruin their careers because they could not accept defeat graciously.”

Years Accepting Careers Politician Defeat Ruins

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“Everybody has the right to speak up in a democracy. We would be in trouble as a society if there wasn't a constant pressure to make reforms and to be just. Sometimes as prime minister, when i was caught up in a really loud demonstration, I used to say to myself that I deserved it because of all the demonstrations I myself had organized as a student against Duplessis.”

Ifs Sometimes Would Be Used Speak Democracy Trouble Students Pressure Constant Caught Reform Loud Ministers Organized Prime Caught Up Prime Minister Demonstration

Author:Jean Chretien

“Three months later, on September 5, 2001, at a pro-am event preceding the Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, I was invited to play a round with Tiger Woods. Nothing in the game of politics had ever been as nerve-racking as that game of golf.”

Play Three Games Events Months Golf Rounds Clubs Woods Nerves September Tigers Royal Invited Three Months Montreal Golf Clubs

Author:Jean Chretien

“There's no such thing as a genius in politics, or at least I have never met one. There are only human beings, some better than others, who rise or fall on the challenges they meet.”

Humans Fall Challenges Human Beings Genius Mets

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“Politicians of all stripes are always in danger at looking at every problem from an abstract point of view or being briefed by officials, academics, or economists who know every science but the science of human nature.”

Knows Humans Problem Views Human Nature Danger Politician Point Of View Abstract Officials Economist Stripes

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“Vision is not political rhetoric.”

Political Vision Rhetoric Political Rhetoric

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“Our old - fashioned system is better than any new - fangled voting machine. Not only is it guaranteed to work, but there is something I find appealing in putting a mark on a piece of paper for the candidate of your choice, as opposed to pulling a lever as if you were gambling on a slot machine in Las Vegas.”

Ifs Choices Pieces Paper Machines Mark Candidates Voting Gambling Pulling Old Fashioned Vegas Las Vegas Levers Slot Machines

Book:My Years as Prime Minister

Source: My Years as Prime Minister

“There is nothing more nervous than a million dollars - it moves very fast, and it doesn't speak any language.”

Moving Speak Language Millions Dollars Nervous Million Dollars

Author:Jean Chretien