Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien was in Rocky Harbour on the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of Gros Morne National Park.

Chretien, the former Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and responsible for the national parks system at the time, officially signed the declaration a half century ago.

Long-time friend and a member of Chretien’s federal cabinet, Gerry Byrne says the former PM, who is 89 years old, is still in fine form.

Byrne jokes that his son, who was born while he was in Chretien’s cabinet, spent the weekend afternoon with the former PM and even got a taste of the so-called Shawinigan handshake—a maneuver Chretien used one time when a protester got too close for comfort.