Jean Chretien: From parliament to prime minister

1963: Jean Chretien is elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal after some years practicing law.

1966: Serves as the parliamentary secretary for the then Minister of Finance, Mitchell Sharp, who became his mentor.

1968: Chretien is appointed Minster of National Revenue under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He was later appointed Minster of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that same year, and in 1977 became the first French-speaking Minister of Finance.

1980: After having held a number of different ministries, Chretien is appointed Minster of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. He played an important role in that year’s Quebec referendum, arguing against separation.

1984: Chretien becomes Deputy Prime Minister after failing to get leadership of the Liberal Party, losing out to John Turner.

1986: Chretien resigns his post due to political differences with Turner.

1990: Chretien returns to the House of Commons, and in 1993 became Prime Minister of Canada. He remained in the position for 10 years.