Jean Lapierre

Jean-Charles Lapierre, PC (born May 7, 1956) is a Canadian television broadcaster and a former federal politician.

He was Paul Martin's Quebec lieutenant during the period of the Martin government. He returned to the Canadian House of Commons after an eleven-year absence when he won a seat in the 2004 federal election for the Montreal riding of Outremont. On July 20, 2004, he was appointed to the Canadian Cabinet as Minister of Transport, serving until February 6, 2006. On January 11, 2007, Lapierre announced his intention to resign from federal politics. He resigned as the MP for Outremont on January 28, 2007.

Early political career

Liberal

He originally served in the House of Commons from 1979 to 1993, representing the riding of Shefford, sitting as a Liberal from 1979 to 1990. A Quebec federalist who fought the 1980 Quebec referendum beside Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau retired from politics in 1984 and was succeeded as Prime Minister and party leader by John Turner. Lapierre was appointed to cabinet (at the time, the youngest minister to serve in a federal cabinet, at age 28) as minister of state for youth and amateur sport and his tenure was brief as Turner called an election nine days after being sworn in, which the Liberals lost.

Paul Martin

Paul Edgar Philippe Martin PC CC (born August 28, 1938), also known as Paul Martin Jr., is a Canadian politician who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from December 12, 2003, to February 6, 2006.

Martin served as the Member of Parliament for the riding of LaSalle—Émard in Montreal from his election in the 1988 election to his retirement in 2008. He served as Minister of Finance from 1993 to 2002. He oversaw many changes in the financial structure of the Canadian government, and his policies had a direct effect on eliminating the country's chronic fiscal deficit by reforming various programs including social services.

On November 14, 2003, Martin succeeded Jean Chrétien as leader of the Liberal Party and became prime minister on December 12, 2003. After the 2004 election, his Liberal Party retained power, though it was reduced to a minority government. Forced by a confidence vote, the 2006 general election produced a minority government for the opposition Conservative Party, making Stephen Harper prime minister. Martin stepped down as parliamentary leader after the election, handing the reins to Bill Graham for the interim. Martin stayed on as party leader until he resigned on March 18, being eventually succeeded by Stéphane Dion.