Harper wrong not to go to Beijing: Chretien

Canada's former prime minister said on Monday that the country's current leader was wrong not to attend the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and predicted Canada could pay a heavy price for his absence.

Jean Chretien said Prime Minister Stephen Harper should have been at the celebration given China's economic and demographic clout and the traditionally good relationship between the two countries.

"It is the second biggest economy in the world, and in 50 years it will be the biggest," the former Liberal leader said after a speech at an annual meeting of the Canadian Bar Association.