The Queen likes the little guy from Shawinigan – a lot apparently

No one tells the Queen who deserves to get the Order of Merit. It's a gift that is hers to give and apparently she likes the little guy from Shawinigan enough to give it to him. Here's what it says at the official Web site for the Queen:

The Order of Merit, founded by 1902 by King Edward VII, is a special mark of honour conferred by the Sovereign on individuals of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service.
Appointments to the Order are in the Sovereign's personal gift and ministerial advice is not required.

I do believe, looking through the current list of recipients, that Jean Chrétien will be the only living Canadian (and certainly the only Quebecer) to have this honour. (Helpful readers have mentioned other Canadian recipients of the O.M) Other recipients include Her Majesty's (controversial) portrait painter Lucian Freud, Tim Berners-Lee (he invented a little software application called The World Wide Web) and playwright Tom Stoppard.

The Liberals are very happy about this, as they should be:

Statement from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff on the appointment of the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien to the Order of Merit:

It is with great pride that I congratulate the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien for being named a member of the Order of Merit, a prestigious honour bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Order of Merit – a special mark of honour on individuals of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service – represents a fitting tribute to this truly great Canadian. From his first election to Parliament in 1963 until his retirement from politics in 2003 as one of Canada's longest-serving prime ministers, Mr. Chrétien left an unequalled legacy of distinguished public service.

The winner of three consecutive majority governments, as Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien is remembered for slaying the deficit, presiding over a period of sustained economic growth, and strengthening Canada's national unity.

He joins an impressive list of members of the Order, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher and Tom Stoppard. Past members include Mother Teresa, Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Sir Winston Churchill.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our entire Liberal Parliamentary caucus, I once again offer my congratulations to Mr. Chrétien. He has made Canada very proud.