Reassesses Jean Chrétien’s often overlooked foreign policy work in Canada.

Foreign policy may not be the first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on Jean Chrétien’s ten years as Canadian prime minister. However, Chrétien and the World combines the perspectives of key players of the time with analyses by leading scholars to reveal something unexpected: an often ambitious, activist approach to his international affairs.

Contributors draw on personal recollections, interviews, and research to portray a coherent and engaged foreign policy. Chrétien responded to events that reshaped the international landscape, notably 9/11, the war on terror, the US-led invasion of Iraq, and Canadian involvement in Afghanistan. Working with trusted ministers, he emphasized trade liberalization, strong bilateral and multilateral relations, human security, and humanitarian intervention. Though the prime minister is often characterized as purely pragmatic, these essays show that Chrétien’s tenure actually marked a high point of liberal internationalism.

This insightful collection demonstrates how Canada navigated crucial years between the end of the Cold War and the emergence of a new geopolitical reality.