The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 5:15 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 21, “in recognition of his distinguished leadership in Canadian government.”
A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, Chrétien was elected as a Member of the House of Commons in 1963. During his political career, he served in many ministerial roles, including as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, among many others.
As leader of the Liberal Party, he won the October 1993 federal election and became Canada’s 20th prime minister. Following a decade in office, Chrétien left the Office of Prime Minister of Canada in December 2003 and remains Canada’s oldest living prime minister.
Chrétien completed his law studies at Université Laval and was admitted to the Québec Bar in 1958. He is also a member of the Ontario Bar. He has served as counsel in the legal firm Dentons since 2014.
Chrétien’s work and public service has been recognized with many awards and honours, including the appointment of Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of Merit and honorary doctorates from numerous universities in Canada and throughout the world.