Political career Pierre Pettigrew

pettigrew in 2006

from 1996 1999, served minister of human resources development. in time, department of human resources development represented more half of canadian federal budget. pettigrew negotiated provinces , territories national child benefit, important social program since canada pension plan (1966), 10 billions program now. implemented new employment insurance program became balanced after years of deficit despite lowering premiums. under watch, however, ineffective accounting practices @ hrdc allegedly left millions of dollars unaccounted for. pettigrew fortunate have been shuffled portfolio of international trade. successor jane stewart took brunt of billion-dollar boondoggle scandal.

as minister international trade, promoted free trade , characterized north american free trade agreement (nafta) tremendous success . , model expand upon. key participant in world trade organization (wto) trade talks, claiming canada s main goal of lowering agricultural subsidies of great benefit world s poorer nations. @ 2003 wto ministerial conference in cancún, pettigrew played aggressive role chair of working group on singapore issues, controversial sectors of proposed liberalization bitterly opposed developing nation delegates, not mention masses of protesters outside of gates meetings held. championed free trade area of americas (ftaa), , in period leading summit of americas in quebec city in 2001, spearheaded campaign allay growing public suspicion of deal promising eventual release of draft negotiating texts. after delay due translating texts portuguese language, texts made publicly available july 3, 2001. throughout mandate @ international trade, heavily embroiled in - canada softwood lumber dispute.

on december 12, 2003, appointed minister of health , minister of intergovernmental affairs newly appointed prime minister paul martin. on july 20, 2004, moved long-desired portfolio of foreign affairs minister, replacing bill graham.

on april 26, 2005, montreal newspaper le devoir reported trilingual pettigrew, speaks english, french , spanish, leave canadian politics serve secretary general of organization of american states. newspaper suggested pettigrew had sufficient support among oas members win job, although officially canada supported election of luis ernesto derbez of mexico in 2005 oas secretary general election.

pettigrew has long been rumoured possible leadership candidate liberal party of canada or leader of liberal party of quebec.

in 1999, pettigrew wrote pour une politique de la confiance (english translation: new politics of confidence), book on globalization , art of governing.

on june 17, 2005, incident occurred @ conference in montreal regarding subject of haiti, @ 1 point during conference, pettigrew splashed red substance yves engler, political activist associated group haiti action montreal. engler threw red substance on pettigrew, shouted pettigrew lies, haitians die . engler claimed red paint meant symbolize blood on hands of canadian state due canada s involvement in haiti. pettigrew told police wanted full charges pressed against engler. however, couple of days later, pettigrew decided drop charges.

despite growing pressure, pettigrew consistently stated canada stay course in haiti.

on december 28, 2005, pettigrew victim of attempted mugging while waiting train in montreal subway station. accused, frederick estelle, has been charged aggravated theft.

on january 23, 2006, pettigrew defeated bloc québécois candidate vivian barbot, ending tenure minister of foreign affairs , member of parliament papineau.