BY MICHAEL JAMES
In a rare reversal of circumstances, it was Madame Aline Chretien and not her husband, Prime Minsiter Jean Chretien's turn to take a bow on the public stage.
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As the prime minister watched from the audience, his wife bent her head to receive the hood for an honorary doctorate of laws from Laurentian
University at a convocation ceremony last Saturday.
In her opening address, Chretien revealed a bit of her understated sense of humour.
Aside from thanking Laurentian University president Judith Woodsworth et al, Chretien looked at her husband, and with a wry smile said, Â?Thank you Monsieur Prime Minister.Â?
Reporters had been advised that the prime minister wouldn't be answering questions because he wanted the focus to be on his wife.
However, when asked by reporters after the ceremony what his wife's greatest contribution to Canada has been, he answered:
Â?She's the best adviser I ever had in my life. I'm very happy for her. She deserves it very much.Â?
Born in Saint-Boniface-de-Shawinigan, and fluent in Italian and Spanish, as well as Canada's two official languages, Chretien has been active in a number of charitable organizations over the past 30 years.
As honorary chair of the national advisory council of the Royal Conservatory of Music, she supports the Â?Learning Through the ArtsÂ? program, a program designed to help students achieve their potential in school.
Â?Growing up, the world beyond my village...was largely unknown to me,Â? she said. Â?What I was taught, at a young age, was to think beyond myself...and show concern for the welfare of our fellow citizens.Â?
Woodsworth praised Chretien for her Â?tolerance, flexibilty and courageÂ? in representing Canada on the world stage.
Asked why it was important to her to receive an honorary degree from a small university in northern Ontario, Chretien answered.
Â?(It may be) a small university, but (it is) bilingual. They have a program of studies for the (First Nations people)...and, for me, it was a great thing.Â?
