Former Canadian PM has heart surgery

MONTREAL, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien reportedly was in a Montreal hospital Wednesday for cardiac surgery.

The Candian Broadcasting Corp. reported sources said the operation had gone well and Chretien, 73, is expected to return to complete health.

After leading the Liberal Party in three successful elections, Chretien left office in 2003. He has been practicing law in Ottawa and recently published the second volume of his memoirs.

Chretien began feeling ill during the weekend while at the President’s Cup at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Following the advice of a cardiologist friend, he entered the Heart Institute on Monday.

He also canceled a speech at a conference on mining in the Asia-Pacific region in Vancouver on Tuesday.