Chretien steps down to make way for Martin

Last Updated Fri, 12 Dec 2003 9:38:40

OTTAWA - The Jean Chrtien era of Canadian politics came to a close on
Friday morning, as the three-term prime minister made his last official
move.

Chretien was head of government when he arrived by limousine at Rideau Hall
shortly after 9 a.m. on Friday. After a brief visit with Gov. Gen Adrienne
Clarkson, he was a private citizen as he walked away, his wife Aline at his
side. Under a bright winter Ottawa sky, they walked among the trees on the
grounds of the Governor General's residence, and through a mob of cameras
and reporters.

Chretien has also resigned his seat in St. Maurice, Quebec. He stepped down
to make way for Paul Martin, who will shortly arrive at Rideau Hall to be
sworn in as the country's 21st prime minister, along with his new cabinet.
Limousines carrying members of the next cabinet began arriving even as the
outgoing prime minister met with the Queen's representative.

Martin, 65, overwhelmingly won the leadership of the Liberal party in
November. Chretien announced in August 2002 he would not run in another
election. Martin promises to make sweeping changes, the first major
overhaul of the federal government since Chretien came to power 10 years
ago. Martin has vowed to make government more accountable, improve
relations with the United States and create stronger federal-provincial
co-operation, especially with the western provinces.

Cabinet to be unveiled

A key step to addressing feelings of western alienation is the expected
promotion Friday of two western MPs to high-profile cabinet posts.
Saskatchewan MP Ralph Goodale will become the next finance minister, while
Alberta MP Anne McLellan will move from the health portfolio to the more
senior role of deputy prime minister, sources say. McLellan is also
expected to run Canada's new Public Safety Department. Martin also plans to
collapse or alter certain government departments linked to past political
scandals, such as Human Resources Development Canada.

Most of the people being promoted to cabinet have never headed a government
department. Many political insiders call this cabinet Martin's "B
Team"  the team that will get him to the next federal election
expected in spring 2004.
Cabinet ministers who perform well during the runup to the election will
likely remain in cabinet if the Liberals are elected.

Martin, 65, first entered politics in 1988 after running Canada Steamship
Lines (CSL), one of Canada's largest shipping lines. CBC.ca will provide
live streaming audio of the swearing in ceremony at 10 a.m. ET, and of the
new prime minister's first news conference at 2 p.m. ET


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