Canada's new leader has ambitious agenda

TORONTO -- Paul Martin was sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister Friday, promising an "ambitious" agenda that would focus on "bringing freshness and clarity" to Canada's place in the world, making the government more accountable and mending strained relations with the United States.

"We've got a very, very ambitious agenda, an enormous amount to do," Martin said at a news conference in Ottawa after taking over the most powerful office in the country. Relations between Canada and the United States, traditional allies, became tense after Canada refused to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Martin, 65, said he wanted to re-establish the "tone" between Canada and the United States "so we can look at fundamental problems, whether it's softwood lumber, the situation with the reconstruction in Iraq or agricultural problems between our two countries."

Martin, the former finance minister, said his new government would review foreign policy and Canada's military spending, which has been criticized as too low. Critics have said Canada's military is stretched too thin and that its peacekeeping forces throughout the world often operate with outdated equipment. Martin said the government review could lead to an increase in forces.

He was sworn in shortly after the resignation of Jean Chretien, who is regarded as one of the most popular prime ministers in Canadian history after leading the Liberal Party to three consecutive victories. With his long-awaited resignation, Chretien made way for his political rival, Martin, who had been waiting in the wings for 13 years to become prime minister.

The transfer of power was brisk. The Chretien era ended as Chretien emerged from Rideau Hall, the residence of Canada's governor general, with his wife and trusted adviser, Aline. The two then walked down the long drive, stepping away from political life.

Chretien, a feisty politician who refused to be pushed out, dominated Canadian politics until his last day in office Thursday. Chretien waved but took no questions. Chretien, who said he would return to work as a lawyer, promised earlier he would not speak publicly about the new government.

"If (the government) goes too far to the left, I will say nothing," Chretien told reporters on his last day. "If they go too far to the right, I'll say nothing. It's not my business."

As Chretien walked away, Martin, the man Chretien fired for plotting to overthrow him, pulled up to Rideau Hall. Inside, before signing the oath of office, Martin took part in an aboriginal "cleansing ceremony," a ritual to remove negativity so his spirit would be free. An aboriginal elder offered tobacco, burned sage and smudged the new prime minister, fanning him from head to toe with eagle feathers. Aides said the ceremony helped show how dedicated Martin is to improving the lives of aboriginal people in Canada.

Martin's father, Paul Martin Sr., ran three times in failed attempts to become leader of the Liberal Party. Since Martin was defeated by Chretien in 1993 as leader of the Liberal Party, he has made no secret about his ambition to be prime minister.

Martin carried a Canadian flag to the swearing in ceremony. "That is the flag that flew at half mast on the hill" after his father died, Martin said, fighting back tears.

After much anticipation, Martin, a fiscal conservative and wealthy shipping tycoon credited with cutting Canada's deficit, revealed his new cabinet, jobs coveted by hundreds of politicians who supported him. Martin said he rewarded supporters and non-supporters with top cabinet posts.

"We put together a cabinet based on merit," Martin said. "There is huge wealth of talent and a dearth of positions available."

Anne McLellan, who formerly headed the justice and health ministries, becomes deputy prime minister and minister of public safety and emergency preparedness. Ralph Goodale, who was minister of public works under Chretien, becomes finance minister.

Two cabinet ministers under Chretien retained their positions: Bill Graham, who remains as minister of foreign affairs and David Anderson, minister of the environment.

Martin plans to call an election this spring, where he will face a new conservative party, created last week from the controversial merger between the Canadian Alliance Party and Progressive Conservative Party.

Martin has promised to work more closely with provinces and territories, cut waiting times for health care and improve relations between Canadian and U.S. legislators. He has offered the ambassadorship to Washington to former deputy prime minister John Manley. Manley, who bowed out of the Liberal Party leadership race against Martin, has said he is considering the offer.

Martin's new government will now have to deal with a Canada that has become more socially progressive. Several controversial bills proposed by Chretien await passage, including a bill to legalize gay marriage throughout the country and a bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Martin said he would discuss the issues in his cabinet.

Until the end, Chretien was a strong supporter of both. When a bishop warned that Chretien's "eternal salvation" was in jeopardy because of his support for gay marriage, Chretien, a Roman Catholic from Quebec, said the issue would remain between him and his God. Several weeks ago, Chretien quipped that he may even try marijuana after he retires.

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