Turner's Turn

Out front for Trudeau's job

Ever since John Turner abruptly resigned as Pierre Trudeau's Finance Minister in 1975 and gave up his seat in Parliament a few months later, Canadians have suspected that the photogenic Toronto lawyer was only waiting for the right moment to make his comeback. That opportunity came when Trudeau announced late last month that he was retiring after nearly 16 years as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Last week Turner, 54, announced his candidacy for the party leadership. Said he: "I have both the experience and the toughness to govern, tempered with compassion."

Six Trudeau Cabinet members promptly gave Turner their support, and even opponents concede that he will be tough to beat. Still, Turner faces stiff competition from several seasoned Liberals, all talking trendily of "fresh approaches" and "a fresh agenda for the new times." The other contenders include Donald Johnston, 47, Economic and Regional Development Minister; Mark MacGuigan, 53, Justice Minister; and John Roberts, 50, Employment and Immigration Minister. Turner's toughest challenge could come from Minister of Energy Jean Chretien, 50, a popular Quebecker who will announce his candidacy this week.

Turner's chances will turn on his performance in a series of Liberal debates over the next three months. Having avoided the press for nearly nine years, he was clearly anxious last week to fill in some of the gaps. He discussed his chairmanship of two troubled venture-capital companies and cited unemployment, rather than inflation, as Canada's "major economic and social problem." He also said he would seek to lower the country's $24 billion budget deficit, though not by slashing social welfare programs. As for those who promise such bromides as "new ideas" and "fresh approaches," Turner warned that "there's no quick fix."