The Current Weekend Listen: A hometown tour with Jean Chrétien (via The House)
Nov 1, 2025
Join Jean Chrétien, the 20th Prime Minister of Canada, as he shares heartwarming reflections from his hometown of Shawinigan. He discusses how the town shaped his political journey and offers a candid view on interactions with Donald Trump. Chrétien asserts the importance of national unity and critiques Alberta’s separatist sentiments with humor and insight. Joining him is Daniel Thibault, who analyzes the current state of Canada-U.S. relations amidst trade tensions. Together, they navigate the complexities of leadership and democracy in modern times.
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Gifts, Baseball And Presidential Differences
- Jean Chrétien greeted tourists in his museum and joked about gifts from world leaders, including a baseball bat from George W. Bush.
- He contrasted Bush's straightforwardness with Bill Clinton's love of argument to illustrate diplomatic personalities.
Hometown Hardship Shaped His Leadership
- Chrétien credits Shawinigan's industrial decline for shaping his politics and perseverance during hard economic shifts.
- He emphasizes adapting to technological change and finding new ways for a community to recover.
Free Trade Was Never Absolute
- Chrétien argues free trade has always been conditional because the U.S. enforces deals selectively and renegotiates often.
- He warns that water and resource protections will become crucial assets in future negotiations.