For the first time in decades, a Canadian Prime Minister (retired) has been honoured by the Canadian head of state, Her Majesty the Queen. Jean Chrétien is to be named to the British Order of Merit, an honour restricted to 24 living members, only a few of whom have been foreigners.
M. Chrétien joins some pretty illustrious company, including Mother Teresa, Albert Schweitzer and Nelson Mandela. The Queen's website calls the Order of Merit, founded in 1902 by King Edward VII, a "gift from the sovereign." It is given to people "of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service."
The "little guy from Shawinigan" gets a nice "gong" -- an eight-pointed cross of red-and-blue enamel with the imperial crown in the centre, and the words "For Merit" in gold surrounded by a laurel wreath. He could pin it on his golf shirt, or maybe his toque.
But seriously... There were those (even in the Liberal Party) who reviled M. Chretien while he was in office. But compared with those who followed him, especially Steve Harpoon, le ti-gars d'Shawinigan looks pretty good, eh! Congratulations from Walt!
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