Source
Canada has had 23 prime ministers, a look at the six who are alive.
Authors: National Post Staff. Published Mar 04, 2024
Source
Canada has had 23 prime ministers, a look at the six who are alive.
Authors: National Post Staff. Published Mar 04, 2024
Martin succeeded Chrétien as Canada’s 21st PM following his performance as finance minister, where he was credited with eliminating the federal deficit in the 1990s through major spending cuts and reforms to social services.
Martin’s leadership saw the negotiation of the Kelowna Accord to improve conditions for Indigenous peoples, an agreement with provinces on health care funding and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Like Chrétien, Martin was also marred by the sponsorship scandal. He was defeated by Stephen Harper in the 2006 federal election and chose not to seek re-election in 2008, marking the end of his political career.
Martin remains one of the world’s wealthiest former heads of government - a position he attained through his ownership of Canada Steamship Lines.
The end of his political career also signalled the end of the Kelowna Accords, a $5 billion initiative aimed at enhancing Indigenous education and promoting Indigenous entrepreneurship. Through the Martin Family Initiative, established in 2008, he has focused on providing a wide range of educational programs for Indigenous communities across the country, including prenatal education for Indigenous mothers and courses in business and finance.