Former prime minister Jean Chretien criticized Canadian foreign policy on Monday, saying a planned trip to China by Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been too long in coming.
While Chretien didn't name Harper directly in his remarks, he said the trip is "three years too late."
The former prime minister said he believes Canada has abandoned Africa and neglected China in its foreign policy.
Chretien made the remarks to the France-Canada association before heading to London, where he will receive the Order of Merit from the Queen on Tuesday.
Asked after his speech about Canada's international image, Chretien said it has diminished.
"Our foreign policy has changed a lot," he said. "Unfortunately, we have disappeared from Africa, we have lost a lot of ground in China and that is not good."
He pointed out that Canada under then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau recognized China. Chretien also noted he visited China "eight or nine times" in the three years following his 1993 election as prime minister.
He also led two trade missions to the country.
"China said Canada was its best friend," Chretien said.
Harper has said he intends to visit China before the end of the year.
"Better late than never," Chretien quipped.
"Apparently the prime minister is going, but it's three years too late."
Chretien also said "the voice of Canada is much less strong" in Africa.
"We've closed embassies. In Ottawa, in the street, I meet ambassadors from countries that still have embassies in Canada but we're not in their countries. That's a little embarrassing, no?"
The former federal Liberal leader, who stepped down in 2003, continues to globetrot as part of his professional activities.
Chretien has been working as a lawyer and international consultant since leaving the prime minister's job.
Speaking off-the-cuff before the France-Canada association, he gave a whirlwind accounting of relations between the two countries.
Before taking questions, he said one thing he missed about politics was the daily verbal jousting of question period in the House of Commons.
"Mr. Bachand, you can start," he said to former Progressive Conservative MP Andre Bachand, who is Canada's ambassador to UNESCO and was present at the head table.
Chretien was questioned about Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic and about immigration policies.
The France-Canada association is part of France-Ameriques and brings together elites from such sectors as diplomacy, business, defence, culture and research.
