Statement by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

August 21, 2002
Chicoutimi, Québec

Ladies and gentlemen.

I entered public life for one reason and one reason only. To serve our country. To make it a better place.

Our responsibility, all of us, each and everyone of us, is to focus on our agenda. To implement our commitment to Canadians. In short, to govern.

This summer we have not been focused on governing. We are not doing our job. Canadians don’t like that. Liberals don’t like that.

None of us in this room is comfortable. I certainly am not.

Aline has always been by my side. I have always called her my Rock of Gibraltar.

Two years ago, we agreed that I would not seek a fourth mandate. Indeed, shortly after the last election, we took an option on an apartment in Ottawa. That we would live in when I had finished my work.

It was my view that it would not be in the best political interests of the Liberal Party for me to signal my intentions publicly until later in our term.

Over the course of the summer, I have spoken to many of you. Some have asked me to run again. Some have told me not to run. All have told me to finish the job we were elected to do.

You have also told me to make my intentions known publicly as soon as possible. I have heard you.

Last night I spoke about my duty to the country, to the Liberal Party and to the office of Prime Minister.

For 40 years the Liberal Party has been like family to me. Its best interests are bred in my bones. I have reflected on the best way to bring back unity. To end the fighting. To resume interrupted friendships.

I have thought about how much time it will take to finish the job we were elected to do. To complete the agenda for governing which I set out last night. For children in poverty. For aboriginals. For health. For the environment. For urban infrastructure. For public sector ethics.

I have taken into account my duty to protect for my successors the integrity of the office I hold from the Canadian people. An office that is non negotiable.

Here is my conclusion.

I will not run again.

I will fulfil my mandate and focus entirely on governing from now until February 2004. At which time my work will be done and at which time my successor will be chosen.

This will be after 3 of the Opposition parties have chosen their new leaders. So Liberals will know what they are facing.

And it will be early enough to give a new Prime Minister all the necessary flexibility to choose the date of the next election.

Everything we have achieved since we formed the government has been because of the unity of our caucus. I owe a debt of gratitude to each and everyone of you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

But our journey is not over. We have a lot of work to do together for Canada over the next 18 months. I will need all of you to complete our work.

And then at the age of 70, I will look back with great satisfaction as I take my rest secure in the knowledge that the future of Canada is unlimited

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