Jean Chrétien’s advice to Justin Trudeau

As the Throne Speech kicks off the 42nd session of Parliament, perhaps the only person in Canada who truly understands this moment for Justin Trudeau is Jean Chrétien—the only Liberal alive who has won a majority federal government. So it was not surprising that Mr. Chrétien was sitting in the Senate, six feet to the new Prime Minister’s left, during the Speech from the Throne.

Chretien campaigned hard for Trudeau, and provides a link back to Trudeau’s own father. But he also is a warning beacon. All governments get to start with a honeymoon, but what happens next is what really matters. We asked the former prime minister on what advice he would give Trudeau as the new government kicks off its agenda, and what he really thinks the new Prime Minister means when he says that “Canada is back.”

Related:

• Maclean’s annotates the Throne Speech
• Aaron Wherry and Evan Solomon break down what comes next
• Paul Wells on a short Throne Speech that loads up Trudeau’s agenda
• Aaron Wherry on Justin Trudeau’s politics of ambition
• An explainer of those odd rituals to launch a new Parliamentary session