Address by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the Occasion of an Address to a Special Joint Session of Parliament

February 22, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario

Mr.Speaker, Honourable Senators and Members of Parliament. It is my very great pleasure for me to introduce the Right Honourable Tony Blair.

Prime Minister, you are about to address the 37th Parliament of Canada. Men and women of diverse backgrounds and sharp ideological differences. People who have a very hard time agreeing on anything.

But you need not worry about our manners today. I think I can speak for all of my colleagues when I say that any leader whose resumé includes winning the largest parliamentary majority in over 60 years can expect our undivided attention.

Your historic 1997 election victory was, for many Canadians, their first introduction to Tony Blair. But it was really just the most spectacular result of the skillful leadership you have shown in re-making your party and in re-defining the terms of political discourse in Great Britain and throughout the Liberal western democracies.

In common with so many of us who have gone into politics, Mr. Blair trained to enter the law. And the law is in his family as well. Madame Cherie Blair, who is with us, is an accomplished barrister in her own right. She is the only woman I can call "Cherie" without my wife giving me that look.

Beginning with his election in 1983 as a Labour Member of Parliament, Mr. Blair has shown a keen commitment both to the welfare of his constituents and to addressing the broader issues that challenge government. His considerable eloquence and his mastery of issues are widely known and respected. His ability to project the modern vitality of Britain on the world stage has become a personal trademark. And his steadfast commitment to peace in Northern Ireland has earned him international praise -- a cause in which Canada has been pleased to play a role.

Prime Minister Blair has also been at the centre of the intellectual ferment that has become known to the world as "The Third Way." A progressive approach to governing in the new global information economy that has found a middle ground between relying on unfettered market forces and resorting to massive state intervention. That seeks to promote individual initiative and secure economic prosperity while at the same time ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared so that no member of society is left behind.

The Prime Minister and I share much common ground on this topic. I have outlined for him what I call our Canadian way. And he has laid out how his government is arriving at unique British solutions to emerging challenges. I know that our dialogue and exchange will continue on this visit.

This is just a 21st century example of the common ground that has long characterized the relationship between our nations. Common ground embodied by this Honourable place and our embrace of the "Westminster tradition." By our willingness to shed blood together in the defence of freedom and justice.

By our cooperation on so many issues at the UN, in NATO and at the WTO. And by our resolve to renew and revitalize our Trans-Atlantic relationship.

Prime Minister, in addressing this Special Joint Session, you join a distinguished company of British Prime Ministers of the modern era. A company that was led off by the Right Honourable Winston Churchill. If I could borrow from that master of words. There are many in Canada who listen to the debates of this Honourable House and wonder that so much could be said by so many, but understood by so few.

Today, we welcome the opportunity for some well-chosen words from a worthy successor.

Ladies and gentlemen: A dynamic leader, an accomplished statesman and a very great friend of Canada, I present the Right Honourable Tony Blair.

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