Shawinigan Handshake Incident

Date: February 15, 1996 • Location: Ottawa, Canada

Then-Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien applies a chokehold to protester Bill Clennett, an incident later named the Shawinigan Handshake.

The prime minister of Canada is the head of government of Canada. Under the Westminster system, the prime minister governs with the confidence of a majority of the elected House of Commons; as such, the prime minister typically sits as a member of Parliament (M.P.) and leads the largest party or a coalition of parties. As first minister, the prime minister selects ministers to form the Cabinet.