Former prime minister Paul Martin used the unveiling of his official portrait on Parliament Hill Wednesday to settle some old scores but also to deliver words of wisdom for the rookie parliamentarians gathered for the event.

Canada's 21st prime minister highlighted some of the issues that were dearest to him inside and outside of politics, namely the sanctity of Parliament and Indigenous rights.

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He also took aim at Stephen Harper's decision to cancel the Kelowna Accord shortly after taking office in 2006.

That agreement, hashed out by federal, provincial and First Nations leaders in 2005, under Martin's leadership, committed some $5 billion over 10 years to address the funding gap for Indigenous peoples in education, health care and social services.

"We had gotten it done ... the country had come together," Martin said of the landmark deal. "Had the accord been honoured, I believe we would have lived a very different decade. Yes, prime minister, I congratulate your government, all the Liberals, in fact, all the Canadians in this room, for the commitment to make up for lost time."

Martin says death of the Kelowna accord put Indigenous Canadians back a decade 1:14

He also urged parliamentarians to begin the process of restoring Parliament to "its proper function as the locus of the nation's great debate.

"The need to strengthen Parliament and all of its aspects goes to the very heart of the democratic process, it always has, but even more so today. Especially today, when the question new parliamentarians are facing is not just 'What will we do?' but 'How will we get it done?'" Martin said.

Martin said that the Western world is seized with problems associated with climate change, an aging population, increasing inequality and swift technological change.

"The world over must act but they will not succeed unless they bring their populations with them," he said, noting that more parliamentary committees should travel across the country to meet with regular Canadians to solicit their opinions.

Martin speaks about the importance of public service 1:24

Martin, 77, directed the last third of his remarks at the new parliamentarians gathered for the unveiling, telling them to not forget the power they wield. "It is possible to do more good in five minutes here [in Parliament] than it is anywhere in five months," he said.

'Outstanding financial steward'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised his predecessor for his time as Canada's finance minister in Jean Chrétien's cabinet, and for his work on Indigenous affairs and global aid.

"We must consider his role as one of the most outstanding financial stewards that Canada has ever seen," Trudeau said. "As minister of finance he confronted a fiscal crisis in this country ... one that was on the verge of crippling our economy," he said, thanking Martin for his making hard choices that shored up the books.

Trudeau did not reserve his praise for Martin's work as minister. He commended Martin for his time as prime minister, for ushering in same-sex marriage, drafting the Kelowna Accord to close the funding gap between indigenous and non-indigenous children and his help for developing countries.

"Under his leadership the world turned its attention to developing economies. He led the way in expanding debt relief and aid for Africa. As Bono said, 'the world needs more Canada' — prime minister Martin gave the world more Canada, and the world was better for it," Trudeau said.

Space in Centre Block was recently cleared for the official portrait of former prime minister Paul Martin, next to that of his predecessor Jean Chrétien. (Julie Van Dusen/CBC News)

Beside Chrétien, sort of

Martin will now take his place alongside Chrétien. The two men worked closely together for many years before the relationship was strained by a rivalry that led to internal spats over leadership. Martin's portrait will hang to the left of Chrétien, with a stone pillar standing between the two portraits.

Martin was joined at Wednesday's ceremony by his wife, Sheila, and his children and grandchildren, as well as current MPs and members of his cabinet.

Artist Paul Wyse of Prescott, Ont. was commissioned to do Martin's portrait. He was also the man behind the official portrait of Peter Milliken, the longest-serving Speaker of the House of Commons. Martin didn't waste the opportunity to crack a joke about his former Liberal colleague in explaining why he chose Wyse to paint his portrait.

"If he can make Peter look good, he can make anyone look good," Martin said to laughs from the audience.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper will be next in line for an official portrait to be hung in the halls of Parliament.