The inevitable Mario Lemieux comparison

Jean Chretien seems ready for an election.

Now, Conservative attack ads are targetting Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, saying he isn’t truly Canadian because he lived and worked in the United States for years. "That doesn’t mean he’s less of a Canadian," said Chretien, 75.

"There are other Canadians who are working in Pittsburgh these days," he said to the roaring crowd at the trade and convention centre. "Is Sidney Crosby not a good Canadian? Is Mario Lemieux not a good Canadian because he owns a hockey team and won a Stanley Cup last night?" asked Chretien at the $500-a-plate fundraiser for the provincial Liberal party.