The 1997 Canadian Federal Election in the Riding of Saint Maurice, a predictably close election between Incumbent Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Bloc Québécois candidate Yves Duhaime was the closest of Chrétien's career since his first 1963 election to Parliament.
Weighed down by his style to not undully Favor his home riding, in addition to it being sovereingtist Territory on the local level, Chrétien drew a strong challenge from Duhaime, whom—after seeking to lead the Bloc Québécois; losing to Gilles Duceppe—received the active support of Quebec Premire Lucien Bouchard and the Bloc Québécois itself.
However, the Liberal PM—seeking to forestal a potential blow to his political prospects as PM—heavilly invested in the riding, appearing himself multiple times durring the campaign and having multiple of his ministers campaign there.
And it paid off, with Chrétien beating the ardent sovereingtist Duhaime, and man who—in the context an altercation within the context of trying to buy some land from his family—he once threatened to punch in the mouth by 3.4%.
He would run in Saint Maurice once more, in 2000, winning comfortably before resigning from the Prime Ministership and Parliament in 2003