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Former Cdn PM Jean Chretien Receives Order of Merit from Queen

by albertacowpoke | July 13, 2009 at 05:07 pm

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Former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien, a.k.a. "The Little Guy from Shawinigan" was appointed to the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II. This award places him among the inclusive ranks of Albert Schweitzer, Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela.

Jean Chretien was Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003, and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1990 to 2003.

The Merit of Order is bestowed by the British Monarch. The Award was established in 1902 by King Edward VII as a personal award for military service, art, literature, science or the promotion of culture. The award is considered a personal gift from the Monarch and does not require ministerial advice.

The Royal website states that the award is restricted to 24 members as well as additional foreign dignitaries.

Wikepedia biography of Jean Chretien

Queen Elizabeth has appointed former prime minister Jean Chrétien to the Order of Merit, placing him in the exclusive ranks of such figures as Albert Schweitzer, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.

The award, founded in 1902 by King Edward VII, is given to "individuals of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service," according to a news release from the press secretary of the Queen.

The order is restricted to 24 members as well as additional foreign recipients, the official website of the British Monarchy said.

"There are very few foreign recipients, although those given the order have included Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Gen. [Dwight D.] Eisenhower, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Nelson Mandela," the website said.

Former prime ministers William Lyon Mackenzie King and Lester B. Pearson also received the honour.

The award is considered a personal gift from the Queen.