Canada’s prime ministers, past and present, on Jimmy Carter

Article content

On Dec. 29, 2024, the world lost a great leader and statesman, and Canada a dear friend, with the passing of former president of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer our deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his extended family and friends.

I remember my father speaking highly of president Carter as a man of deep faith, strong morals and firm principles. I had the honour of meeting him a few times over the past decades, and he was always kind and thoughtful, and generous with his advice to me about public service.

Article content

His life embodied the American Dream, rising as he did from humble roots in Plains, Georgia, to become leader of the United States. As president, he took a strong stand to support peace and human rights around the globe, most notably by helping negotiate peace between Egypt and Israel.

At home, his actions and reforms laid the groundwork for the economic boom of the 1980s.

President Carter also redefined post-presidency life. He remained heavily involved in conflict resolution, democracy promotion and disease prevention worldwide through the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982, and as a member of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders. For 39 years, he also held an annual town hall with first-year students at Emory University, encouraging and inspiring young people to engage in politics and public service.

For more than 35 years, he and Rosalynn also gave generously of their time to Habitat for Humanity, leading projects to build, renovate, and repair thousands of homes in countries around the world. In 2017, the Carters led their 34th Carter Work Project right here in Canada, building 150 homes in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation — a lasting gift to families across our country.

Article content

Article content

In recognition of his significant accomplishments in office and afterward, president Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

We join our American neighbours and friends to mourn a former president and a lifelong humanitarian, whose selfless service will continue to inspire others to make the world a better place.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Canada’s … advantage with Jimmy Carter was in the way he saw the world, which was broadly similar to the international goals that most Canadians supported, for at least 60 years after the end of World War II. That consonance of view was true generally during his presidency, but became even clearer in his conduct and priorities as a ground-breaking former president. His Carter Center could have been merely another important library, cataloguing and reflecting upon a presidency in turbulent times. He and Rosalynn Carter instead transformed it into an unprecedented international “bully pulpit,” able to both enunciate high principles and then pursue them concretely. They are a beacon of the international values which most Canadians like to think we represent. In terms of what Jimmy Carter says and does in the world, he’s a pretty good Canadian

Article content

Joe Clark, former prime minister

(From the preface to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: A Canadian Tribute, edited by Arthur Milnes)
In the years of my own political retirement I have encountered former president Jimmy Carter in programs around the world promoting democratic governance and in The Carter Center in Georgia, home to a wide-ranging array of initiatives relating to democracy, global health and housing. In his post political life, Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity and the elimination of the scourge of Guinea worm would, in themselves, be enough to guarantee his legacy.

In light of recent developments in the role of religion in American political life — in particular the transformation of American evangelicals into a right wing force — a quality that also distinguishes Jimmy Carter is that he has been a true Christian, not a “public” poser. It seems odd to have to say that Carter has been rare among American political leaders in exemplifying the simplicity and humility espoused by Christ himself.

Make no mistake, Carter was proud to have been president, but he used that rare stature to pursue the good of other people and the world and was immune to the seductions of material wealth.

Article content

He was, nonetheless, a lover of life and adventure. When he and his equally remarkable wife Rosalynn took up skiing in their 70s, it was but another reflection of Carter’s youthful spirit.

I did not always agree with Jimmy Carter, but I always admired his courage and independence of thought. To the end of his life, Carter taught Sunday school in his local church. I would have loved to hear his discussion of the profound but mostly ignored quotation, “It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.” RIP.

Kim Campbell, former prime minister

As I read about Jimmy Carter’s failing health, it brought me back to a very special day in 2012 when, as the United States Ambassador to Canada, I was invited to an event at Queens University in Kingston for a speech by president Carter. I will never forget his opening story, which said so much about the man. He told of a cartoon in the New Yorker where a father is sitting with his daughter. He asker her: “What do you want to be when you grow up.” She promptly answers: “An ex-president.” His smile, his grace, his humour endeared him to me and to everyone in that room. He will be missed.

Article content

Pierre Trudeau and John Diefenbaker, former prime ministers

Pierre Trudeau called the Camp David Accords, brokered by president Carter, one of the greatest achievements in American foreign policy since the Second World War. On March 26, 1979, Trudeau and Diefenbaker had the following exchange in the House of Commons:

John Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, I rise, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, on an important matter on this historic date for all mankind. I move, on behalf of Canada whose devotion to peace has been proven over and over the following: That this House expresses its deep appreciation to President Carter, the Prime Minister of Israel (Menachem Begin) and the President of Egypt (Anwar Sadat) at having been successful in producing a treaty which this House had hoped for … and furthermore, as the heads of these two countries have received the Nobel Peace Prize, and as each of them has spoken warmly of President Carter’s contribution, that an award of the Nobel Peace Prize to him would be welcomed not only by Canadians but by peace-loving people of all mankind.

Article content

Pierre Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I just want to say a few words to associate the government and myself personally with this motion. The right honourable gentleman is, I am sure, expressing in very fine terms the feelings not only of the government and of the opposition parties but of all Canadians. This is one of the most important steps that has been taken in recent times in bringing peace to the Middle East.

Compiled by Kingston, Ontario’s Arthur Milnes, author of 2022’s 98 Reasons to Thank Jimmy Carter and editor of 2011’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: A Canadian Tribute. Milnes, a public historian, was the memoirs’ assistant to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and a speechwriter to then Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper.

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

Article content