Broadbent, Chrétien, and the politics of yore

Broadbent and Chrétien were politicians in a time when political theatre was more about the showcasing of one’s attributes than about muting them in favour of political robots capable only of spewing market-tested political rhetoric.

Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, left, died on Jan. 11, which also marked former PM Jean Chrétien's 90^th birthday. Broadbent and Chrétien, while top-notch brawlers in the Commons, also happened to be very decent human beings outside of the political boxing ring of Parliament, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph and photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY TIM POWERS

January 17, 2024

OTTAWA—Authenticity is something that is often in short supply in our politics. No wonder that with the passing of Ed Broadbent last week and the 90th birthday celebration of former prime minister Jean Chrétien there was such an outpouring for both.

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