View source for Roméo LeBlanc

{{Short description|Governor General of Canada from 1995 to 1999}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|CC|CMM|ONB|CD|size=100%}}
| image            = Roméo LeBlanc 1979 (cropped).jpg
| caption          = LeBlanc, {{circa|1979}}
| order1           = 25th
| office1          = Governor General of Canada
| term_start1      = February 8, 1995
| term_end1        = October 7, 1999
| monarch1         = [[Elizabeth II]]
| predecessor1     = [[Ray Hnatyshyn]]
| successor1       = [[Adrienne Clarkson]]
| primeminister1   = [[Jean Chrétien]]
| party            = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
| birth_name       = Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1928|12|18}}
| birth_place      = [[Memramcook, New Brunswick|Memramcook]], [[New Brunswick]], Canada
| death_date       = {{death date and age|2009|6|24|1928|12|18}}
| death_place      = [[Grande-Digue, New Brunswick|Grande-Digue]], [[New Brunswick]], Canada
| spouse           = {{unbulleted list | Lyn Carter (1966–1981) | [[Diana Fowler LeBlanc|Diana Fowler]] (1994–2009)}}
| children         = [[Dominic LeBlanc]]<br />Genevieve LeBlanc
| profession       = [[Politician]], [[Journalist]], [[Teacher]]
| signature        = Romeo leblanc signature.svg
}}
'''Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc''' (December 18, 1928{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009)<ref>{{cite web |title=State Funeral of Romeo LeBlanc |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/past-state-funerals-commemorations/romeo-leblanc.html |website=Government of Canada |access-date=21 March 2019|date=2017-09-19 }}</ref> was a Canadian journalist and politician who served as the 25th [[governor general of Canada]] from 1995 to 1999.

LeBlanc was born and educated in [[New Brunswick]], and also studied in [[France]] prior to becoming a teacher and then a reporter for [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Radio-Canada]]. He was elected to the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] in 1972, whereafter he served as a [[minister of the Crown]] until 1984, when he was moved to the [[Senate of Canada|Senate]] and became [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada|that chamber's Speaker]].

In 1995, he was appointed as governor general by Queen [[Elizabeth II]], on the recommendation of [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[Jean Chrétien]], to replace [[Ray Hnatyshyn|Ramon John Hnatyshyn]] as [[viceroy]], and he occupied the post until succeeded by [[Adrienne Clarkson]] in 1999, citing his health as the reason for his stepping down. His appointment as the Queen's representative caused some controversy, due to perceptions of political favouritism, though he was praised for raising the stature of [[Acadians]] and [[francophone]]s, and for returning [[Rideau Hall]] to the centre of life in Ottawa.  {{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

On August 8, 1974, LeBlanc was sworn into the [[Queen's Privy Council for Canada]].<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/index.asp?lang=eng&page=information&sub=council-conseil&doc=members-membres%2Fchronolog-eng.htm#1971-1980|last=Privy Council Office|author-link=Privy Council Office (Canada)|title=Information Resources> Current Chronological List of Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada> 1971–1980|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|date=October 30, 2008|access-date=March 2, 2009|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215221747/http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/index.asp?lang=eng&page=information&sub=council-conseil&doc=members-membres%2Fchronolog-eng.htm#1971-1980|url-status=dead}}</ref> He died of [[Alzheimer's disease]] on June 24, 2009, aged 80.

== Early life ==
[[File:1036099802 a9122606bd o.jpg|thumb|left|The rural community of [[Memramcook, New Brunswick]], where LeBlanc was born and raised]]

LeBlanc was born on December 18, 1928 in [[Memramcook, New Brunswick]], where he was raised, the youngest of seven children of Marie Lucie Claire LeBlanc and Philias LeBlanc.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mount a Libraries: History of Acadians at Mount Allison: Honorary Degree Recipients | url=https://libraryguides.mta.ca/history_of_acadians/honorary_degree_recipients#collapserleblanc }}</ref> LeBlanc obtained [[bachelor degrees]] in [[Bachelor of Arts|arts]] and [[Bachelor of Education|education]] from the [[University of St. Joseph's College|Collège St-Joseph]] before studying French civilization at the [[Université de Paris]]. He then moved on to teaching for nine years{{mdash}} at [[Drummond, New Brunswick|Drummond]]'s high school from 1951 to 1953 and the [[New Brunswick Teachers' College]] in [[Fredericton]] from 1955 to 1959{{mdash}} after which he obtained work between 1960 and 1967 as a journalist with the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]'s [[French language]] broadcaster, [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Radio-Canada]], serving in the bureaus in [[Ottawa]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]].<ref name=LAC>{{Citation| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/governor/standard/pg03a.htm| last=Library and Archives Canada|title=Governor General Roméo LeBlanc and Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|access-date=March 2, 2009}}</ref>

His first marriage, to Joslyn "Lyn" Carter, with whom LeBlanc had two children (Genevieve and [[Dominic LeBlanc|Dominic]]), lasted from 1966 to 1981;<ref>{{Citation|last=Martin|first=Sandra|title=He never, ever lost his roots|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=June 24, 2009|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/he-never-ever-lost-his-roots/article1195357|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625012902/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/he-never-ever-lost-his-roots/article1195357/|archivedate=June 25, 2009}}</ref> in 1994, he married [[Diana Fowler LeBlanc|Diana Fowler]], who also had two children from a previous marriage.<ref name=GGLeB>{{Citation|url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=55|last=Office of the Governor General of Canada|author-link=Governor General of Canada| title=Role and Responsibility > Former Governors General > The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016125151/http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=55|archivedate=October 16, 2009}}</ref>

== Early political career ==

LeBlanc stepped into the realm of politics when he became the [[press secretary]] for successive prime ministers [[Lester B. Pearson]] and [[Pierre Trudeau]]. He then went further, winning in the [[1972 Canadian federal election|1972 federal election]] a seat in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] as the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] representative for [[Beauséjour (electoral district)|Westmorland-Kent]], paving the way for his appointment as the [[Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)|Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]] in the [[Cabinet of Canada|Cabinet]] chaired by Trudeau.

LeBlanc was a key figure in Canada's imposition of a [[Exclusive Economic Zone#Canada|200-mile fishing zone]]; the establishment of a new fisheries licensing system; the widespread use of quotas and zones that protected Canadian fishermen from overexpansion and competition from [[Fishing trawler|trawlers]] owned by large companies; the owner-operator rule, requiring licence holders to operate vessels themselves; the separate-fleet rule, preventing corporations from obtaining licences for an under-65-foot fleet; and for creating an additional system of advisory committees that permitted fishermen a larger voice in fisheries management.

On one occasion, LeBlanc also persuaded Trudeau to advise the Governor General to close Canadian ports to [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] fishing vessels, a headline-grabbing diplomatic thrust that resulted in better co-operation, and forbade all foreign corporations from holding commercial fishing licences in Canada.<ref>{{Citation| last=Gough| first=Joseph| title=Managing Canada's Fisheries: From Early Days to the Year 2000| publisher=Carleton University Press| year=2007| location=Quebec| pages=289–360| isbn=978-2-89448-523-1}}</ref>

On the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast, LeBlanc oversaw the creation of the Salmonid Enhancement Program, which aimed at doubling salmon production, and quelled plans by [[Alcan]] that were deemed to threaten salmon rivers at the time.<ref>{{Harvnb| Gough| 2007| pp=368–371}}</ref>

Late in 1982, LeBlanc became [[Minister of Public Works (Canada)|Minister of Public Works]] for two years before being nominated by Trudeau to then Governor General [[Jeanne Sauvé]] for appointment to the [[Senate of Canada|Senate]] on June 29, 1984.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web |title=Biography of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc P.C., C.C., C.M.M., O.N.B., C.D. |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/past-state-funerals-commemorations/romeo-leblanc/biography.html |website=Government of Canada |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref> He was then selected in 1993 by Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]] as Governor General [[Ray Hnatyshyn]]'s appointee as [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada|that chamber's speaker]].<ref name="Biography" />

== Governor General of Canada ==
LeBlanc's time as the Queen's viceregal representative was considered to have been low key and largely uneventful, especially in comparison to that of his successor, [[Adrienne Clarkson]].<ref name=CMNLeB>{{Citation|last=Fidelis |title=The LeBlanc Years: A Frank Assessment |journal=Canadian Monarchist News |volume=Autumn 1999 |publisher=Monarchist League of Canada |location=Toronto |year=1999 |url=http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/1999/leblanc.htm |access-date=March 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708032551/http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/1999/leblanc.htm |archive-date=July 8, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last=Martin| first=Don| title=Jean is now least boring G-Gever| newspaper=National Post| date=May 28, 2009| url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=f1e51d92-758b-4d2a-a554-6572d09186b1| access-date=October 23, 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20141023064959/http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=f1e51d92-758b-4d2a-a554-6572d09186b1| archive-date=October 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Smith |first=David E. |year=1999 |publication-date=2007 |editor-last=Jackson |editor-first=Michael D. |title=The Crown in Today's Federal State: The Republican Option in Canada: Past and Present |periodical=Canadian Monarchist News |volume=Autumn-Winter 2007 |issue=27 |page=12 |place=Toronto-Buffalo-London |publication-place=Toronto |publisher=Monarchist League of Canada |url=http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/2007/AutumnWinter_2007_CMN.pdf |access-date=February 22, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708031338/http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/2007/AutumnWinter_2007_CMN.pdf |archivedate=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Boyce |first=Peter |year=2008 |title=The Queen's Other Realms: The Crown and its Legacy in Australia, Canada and New Zealand |location=Sydney |publisher=The Federation Press |isbn=978-1-86287-700-9}}<br />{{cite periodical |last=Jackson |first=Michael D. |title=The Senior Realms of the Queen |periodical=Canadian Monarchist News |date=Autumn 2009 |issue=30 |page=10 |publication-place=Toronto |publisher=Monarchist League of Canada |url=http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/2009/Autumn_2009_CMN.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229100400/http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/2009/Autumn_2009_CMN.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2009 }}</ref> He was, however, the first governor general of [[Acadia]]n heritage, which earned praise from the Acadian community, and he was also the first from the Canadian [[Maritimes]] to be appointed as viceroy.<ref name=CMNLeB />

=== As governor general-designate ===
[[File:SandringhamHouseWestseite.jpg|thumb|[[Sandringham House]], where LeBlanc met with [[Monarchy of Canada|Queen]] [[Elizabeth II]] after his appointment as Governor General-Designate]]
It was announced from the [[Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)|Office of the Prime Minister of Canada]] on November 22, 1994, that [[Monarchy of Canada|Queen]] [[Elizabeth II]] had approved [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Jean Chrétien]]'s choice of LeBlanc to succeed [[Ray Hnatyshyn]] as the Queen's representative.

Thereafter, LeBlanc was invited to an [[Audience (meeting)|audience]] with the Queen at [[Sandringham House]], and he was said to have been impressed and inspired by the devotion to duty on the part of both Elizabeth and [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|her mother]].<ref name=CMNSun>{{Citation| author=Editorial| title=No Garish Sun| journal=Canadian Monarchist News|volume=Autumn 1999|publisher=Monarchist League of Canada|url=http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/1999/edcom2.htm|access-date=March 7, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708032115/http://www.monarchist.ca/cmn/1999/edcom2.htm|archive-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>

The commission appointing LeBlanc under the [[royal sign-manual]] and [[Great Seal of Canada]] was issued on January 16, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/canada-gazette/093/001060-119.01-e.php?image_id_nbr=610383&document_id_nbr=1372&f=g&PHPSESSID=aak0t0369mpbg265s99kr6ku31|title=ARCHIVED – Item Display – A Nation's Chronicle: The Canada Gazette – Library and Archives Canada|publisher=Collectionscanada.gc.ca|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102080711/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/canada-gazette/093/001060-119.01-e.php?image_id_nbr=610383&document_id_nbr=1372&f=g&PHPSESSID=aak0t0369mpbg265s99kr6ku31|archivedate=January 2, 2017}}</ref>

The greatest publicity LeBlanc attracted in his career came immediately after the announcement of his appointment as Governor General: although previous honorees had worked as politicians prior to and after serving as viceroy, the recommendation of a prominent [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] politician and organiser was criticised as being little more than a [[patronage]] gift from the Prime Minister to a loyal party member.

In the [[1993 Canadian federal election|1993 federal election]], LeBlanc had been one of the chief architects of the Liberal Party's election strategy, and was a strong party loyalist. In protest, both [[Reform Party of Canada]] leader [[Preston Manning]] and [[Bloc Québécois]] leader [[Lucien Bouchard]] refused to attend LeBlanc's installation ceremony.<ref name="CMNLeB" />

=== In office ===
As with each governor general, LeBlanc took on unofficial and personal mandates, choosing for himself: [[Volunteering|voluntarism]], the teaching of [[History of Canada|Canadian history]], [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|Canada's Aboriginal peoples]], and the military. He spoke often about the generosity, tolerance, and compassion of Canadians, and admired the dignity and abilities of the common citizen.

To recognize the "unsung heroes" who volunteer their time and effort to help others, LeBlanc initiated in 1996 the [[Governor General's Caring Canadian Award]], and, on June 21, of the same year, was proud to issue a [[Proclamation|royal proclamation]] inaugurating [[National Aboriginal Day]] as an annual observance.<ref>{{Citation| url=http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/02/causes_e.asp| last=Office of the Governor General of Canada| author-link=Governor General of Canada|title=Governor General > Former Governors General > Roméo LeBlanc > Personal Causes of the Rt. Hon. Roméo LeBlanc| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=February 22, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307130457/http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/02/causes_e.asp |archivedate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>

As well, in 1996 LeBlanc formed the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, in 1999 partnered with the [[Canada Council]] for the Arts to create the [[Governor General's Award#Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts|Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts]], oversaw the issuance of the Governor General's Canadian History Medal for the Millennium, and established the Governor General's Millennium Edition of the Map of Canada, which was taken into space in 1999 by [[Julie Payette]].<ref name=GGHigh>{{Citation|url=http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/02/wrap-up_e.asp|last=Office of the Governor General of Canada|author-link=Governor General of Canada|title=Governor General> Former Governors General > Roméo LeBlanc> Highlights of the Mandate|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307145623/http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/02/wrap-up_e.asp|archivedate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>

LeBlanc travelled to all parts of Canada and had a special affinity for small towns and cities, making himself particularly visible in those parts of [[Quebec]] after the [[1995 Quebec independence referendum|province's referendum on secession in 1995]]. He participated in more than 2,000 events, including the annual New Year's [[Levée (event)|Levée]], which he moved to various locations around the country, seeing the party organised at [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], in 1996; [[Quebec City]], [[Quebec]], in 1997; [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], in 1998; and [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]], in 1999.

Over the same years, LeBlanc also had public access to Rideau Hall and [[Rideau Hall#Grounds|its grounds]] expanded and improved{{mdash}} including opening a dedicated visitors' centre in 1997{{mdash}} so that the number of visitors increased threefold to approximately 125,000 people per year.<ref name="GGHigh" /> In keeping with his respect for the First Peoples of Canada, LeBlanc placed a totem pole and inukshuk prominently on the royal property.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

Amongst numerous other official and ceremonial duties, the Governor General granted [[Royal Assent]] to amendments to [[Constitution of Canada|the constitution]] on three occasions: April 21, 1997, December 19, 1997, and January 8, 1998, and also issued the royal proclamation announcing the creation of the territory of [[Nunavut]] on April 1, 1999. LeBlanc welcomed to Rideau Hall the Queen, [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], and [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles, Prince of Wales]], along with a host of foreign dignitaries such as [[President of the United States|United States president]] [[Bill Clinton]] and his wife, [[Hillary Clinton|Hillary]]; [[Hussein of Jordan|King Hussein]] and [[Queen Noor of Jordan]], and later Hussein's son, [[Abdullah II of Jordan|King Abdullah II]], and his wife [[Queen Rania of Jordan|Queen Rania]]; as well as [[President of South Africa]] [[Nelson Mandela]]; and [[President of the People's Republic of China|President of China]] [[Jiang Zemin]]. Further, he undertook eight [[state visits]], becoming the first governor general of Canada to make such trips to the [[Czech Republic]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], the [[Ivory Coast]], [[Tanzania]], [[Mali]], and [[Morocco]].<ref name="GGHigh" />

=== Legacy ===
As governor general, LeBlanc was viewed as having been a role model for [[Acadians]], and was complimented for having drawn the attention of the country to [[History of the Acadians|Acadian history]] and culture. As such, he was seen as a symbol for reconciliation, given the past relations between the Acadians and the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Canadian Crown's predecessor]]. At the same time, LeBlanc was also credited for returning Rideau Hall to a status closer to that which it held a century previous, when it was the centre of life in the national capital.<ref name=CMNLeB />
[[File:Flag of Canadian Governor General LeBlanc.svg|thumb|left|The [[Flag of the Governor General of Canada|Governor General's standard]] as redesigned at LeBlanc's direction, declawed and delangued]]

Although LeBlanc enjoyed all the provinces and territories, his visits touching small towns as well as big cities, he travelled to events in his home province to a degree that some saw as disproportionate. Moreover, LeBlanc never sought media coverage, with the result that many Canadians were unaware of who he was, and his down-to-earth demeanour was thought by some to have been too "folksy" for the post.<ref name=CMNSun /> The accusations of political patronage also failed to evaporate during LeBlanc's governorship; while LeBlanc was viceroy, his son, [[Dominic LeBlanc|Dominic]], continued to work for the prime minister's office until 1997, when he ran for election to the House of Commons in LeBlanc's old riding, where the Governor General had a series of events planned the very week he dropped the [[Writ of election|election writs]]. Further, LeBlanc's daughter maintained employment as a political assistant to Liberal Cabinet ministers, and some of the Governor General's staff had close Liberal Party connections.<ref name=CMNLeB />

Personal touches were also left on [[Flag of the Governor General of Canada|the symbol of the Canadian viceregal office]], from which LeBlanc removed the claws and tongue of the crowned lion,<ref name=CMNSun /> saying that they were impolite and un-Canadian. Though the change did not gather much attention until near the end of LeBlanc's tenure, the reaction, when it came, was generally unfavourable, and the modifications were undone by his successor.<ref name=CMNLeB />

== Post-viceregal life and death ==
[[File:StJosephMemramcook.jpg|thumb|St. Thomas Church in Memramcook was the location of his [[State funerals in Canada|state funeral]].]]After being released from the Queen's service, LeBlanc returned to New Brunswick. There, after a lengthy battle with [[Alzheimer's disease]], he died on June 24, 2009, in [[Grande-Digue, New Brunswick|Grande-Digue]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Taber|first=Jane|title=Roméo LeBlanc dies at 81|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=June 24, 2009|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/romeo-leblanc-dies-at-81/article1195318|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625012502/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/romeo-leblanc-dies-at-81/article1195318/|archivedate=June 25, 2009}}</ref>

He was, as is protocol for all incumbent and former governors general, accorded a [[State funerals in Canada|state funeral]], which took place on July 3 of the same year, in Memramcook. The casket's path through the community was lined with officers from the [[Fisheries and Oceans Canada|Department of Fisheries and Oceans]], paying homage to LeBlanc's time as [[minister of the Crown]] with that portfolio,<ref>{{Citation|last=Canadian Press|title='Great gentleman of Acadia' honoured| newspaper=Toronto Star|date=July 3, 2009|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/660377|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706165557/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/660377|archivedate=July 6, 2009}}</ref> and the sitting governor general, [[Michaëlle Jean]], her prime minister, [[Stephen Harper]], and LeBlanc's former prime minister, [[Jean Chrétien]], all attended.<ref>{{Citation|last=Moore|first=Oliver|title=Dignitaries gather to mourn LeBlanc|newspaper=The Globe and Mail| date=July 3, 2009|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dignitaries-gather-to-mourn-leblanc/article1205295|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705012256/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dignitaries-gather-to-mourn-leblanc/article1205295/|archivedate=July 5, 2009}}</ref>

[[Canada Post stamp releases (2010–2014)|Canada Post]] featured LeBlanc on a postage stamp released on February 8, 2010.<ref>Canada Post ''Details'', January to March 2010, Volume XIX, No. 1, pp. 24–25</ref>

== Honours and arms ==
=== Honours ===
{{center|
'''Ribbon bars of Roméo LeBlanc'''

[[File:CAN Order of Canada Companion ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:CAN Order of Military Merit Commander ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg|100px]]
[[File:Order New Brunswick ribbon bar.svg|100px]]
<br />
[[File:CAN 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:CAN Canadian Forces Decoration ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[File:Ordre national du Merite GO ribbon.svg|100px]]

}}

;Appointments
* {{flagicon|Canada}} January 4, 1973{{spaced ndash}}July 9, 1984: [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] (MP)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} August 8, 1974{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: [[Queen's Privy Council for Canada|Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]] (PC)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} February 8, 1995{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: [[Order of Canada|Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada]] (CC)<ref>{{Citation|url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/nat-ord/oc/index_e.asp|last=Office of the Governor General of Canada|author-link=Governor General of Canada|title=Honours> Order of Canada> Search: Order of Canada Membership List > LeBlanc, Raymond P. > Raymond P. LeBlanc, C.M., M.D., F.R.C.S.C.|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=February 27, 2009}}</ref>
** October 8, 1999{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: Companion of the Order of Canada (CC)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} February 8, 1995{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: [[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit]] (CMM)
** October 8, 1999{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: Commander of the Order of Military Merit (CMM)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} February 8, 1995{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: [[Venerable Order of Saint John|Knight of Justice, Prior, and Chief Officer in Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem]]<ref>{{Citation|url=http://archive.gg.ca/gg/rr/ins/index_e.asp|last=Office of the Governor General of Canada|title=Governor General > Role and Responsibilities> Insignia Worn by the Governor General|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711044252/http://archive.gg.ca/gg/rr/ins/index_e.asp|archivedate=July 11, 2011}}</ref>
** October 8, 1999{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
[[File:Parc Leblanc.jpg|thumb|upright|LeBlanc Park in LeBlanc's hometown of [[Memramcook, New Brunswick]]]]
* {{flagicon|Canada}} February 8, 1995{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: [[Scouts Canada#Organizational structure|Chief Scout of Canada]]
* {{flagicon|Canada}} 1995{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: [[Royal Military College of Canada|Honorary Member of the Royal Military College of Canada Club]]
* {{flagicon|New Brunswick}} August 1, 2005{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: [[Order of New Brunswick|Member of the Order of New Brunswick]] (ONB)<ref>{{cite press release|title=Order of New Brunswick recipients announced|publisher=Intergovernmental and International Relations|date=August 1, 2005|url=http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/iga/2005e0954ig.htm| access-date=February 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101174354/http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/iga/2005e0954ig.htm|archivedate=November 1, 2005}}</ref>

;Medals
* {{flagicon|Canada}} 1992: [[Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada]]
* {{flagicon|Canada}} February 8, 1995: [[Canadian Forces' Decoration]] (CD)
* {{flagicon|Canada}} 2002: [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]]

;Foreign honours
* {{flagicon|France}} 2002{{spaced ndash}}June 24, 2009: ''[[Ordre national du Mérite|Grand officier de l'Ordre national du Mérite]]''<ref>{{Citation| title=Government House: Awards to Canadians| journal=Canada Gazette|volume=136|issue=39|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada|location=Ottawa|date=September 28, 2002|url=http://gazette.gc.ca/archives/p1/2002/2002-09-28/html/gh-rg-eng.html| access-date=February 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706181817/http://gazette.gc.ca/archives/p1/2002/2002-09-28/html/gh-rg-eng.html|archive-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref>

==== Honorary military appointments ====
* {{flagicon|CAN|army}} February 8, 1990{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: Colonel of [[the Governor General's Horse Guards]]
* {{flagicon|CAN|army}} February 8, 1990{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: Colonel of the [[Governor General's Foot Guards]]
* {{flagicon|CAN|army}} February 8, 1990{{spaced ndash}}October 8, 2000: Colonel of [[the Canadian Grenadier Guards]]

==== Honorary degrees ====
* {{flagicon|New Brunswick}} 1977: [[Mount Allison University]], [[Doctor of Civil Law]] (DCL)<ref name="LAC" />
* {{flagicon|New Brunswick}} 1979: [[University of Moncton]], Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)<ref name="LAC" />
* {{flagicon|Nova Scotia}} 1995: [[Université Sainte-Anne]], [[Doctor of Laws]] (LLD)<ref name="LAC" />
* {{flagicon|Ontario}} 1996: [[Toronto Metropolitan University|Ryerson University]], [[Doctor of Letters]] (DLitt)<ref name="GGHigh" />
* {{flagicon|Ontario}} 1996: [[University of Ottawa]], [[Honorary degree|Doctor of the University]] (DUniv)<ref name="GGHigh" />
* {{flagicon|New Brunswick}} 1997: [[St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)|St. Thomas University]], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name="GGHigh" />
* {{flagicon|Newfoundland and Labrador}} 1997: [[Memorial University of Newfoundland]], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name="GGHigh" />
* {{flagicon|Quebec}} 1997: [[McGill University]], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name="GGHigh" />
* {{flagicon|New Brunswick}} 1999: [[University of New Brunswick]], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name="GGHigh" />

==== Honorific eponyms ====
;Geographic locations
* {{flag|New Brunswick}}: LeBlanc Park, [[Memramcook, New Brunswick|Memramcook]]
* {{flag|New Brunswick}}: [[Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport]], [[Dieppe, New Brunswick|Dieppe]]

=== Arms ===
{{Infobox COA wide
|image             = File:ARMS.PNG
|bannerimage       =
|badgeimage        =
|notes             = Just prior to his installation as Governor General, LeBlanc was granted a personal [[coat of arms]] that depicted his Acadian and Canadian roots.
|year_adopted      = January 1, 1995
|crest             = Four eagle feathers within a circlet of Micmac quill decoration Gules
|torse             =
|helm              =
|escutcheon        = Argent on a pile Gules the Star of Acadia ensigned by a representation of the Royal Crown Or.
|supporters        = Two dolphins Argent each gorged with a collar of maple leaves Gules and fleurs de lys Or, pendant there from a plate Azure, dexter surmounted by a steam locomotive wheel Or, sinister surmounted by a book Or
|compartment       = Issuant from a mound set with maple leaves all Gules flanked by waves proper
|motto             = SEMPER AMISSOS MEMINISSE DECET<br />''(It is right to remember the forgotten)''
|orders            = The ribbon and insignia of a Companion of the [[Order of Canada]].<br />DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM<br />''(They desire a better country)''
|other_elements    =
|banner            =
|badge             =
|symbolism         = The use of white recalls the LeBlanc family name, while the pile refers to the Memramcook Valley, where LeBlanc was born, and the [[dolphin]]s evoke the Rivière Dauphin (now [[Annapolis River]]), where LeBlanc's ancestors settled in the mid 17th century, as well as LeBlanc's maritime heritage and his service as the minister of fisheries. The star is a symbol long used by the Acadians, as are the fleurs de lys representative of LeBlanc's roots in that community, and the royal crown represents LeBlanc's appointment as the representative of the Canadian sovereign. The [[eagle]] feathers, symbols of peace, honour the Canadian [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]], and the number represents LeBlanc's four children. More family links are depicted in the steam locomotive wheel{{spaced ndash}}representing LeBlanc's father's service on [[Rail transport in Canada|the Canadian railways]]{{spaced ndash}}and the book evoking LeBlanc's training and work as a teacher. The compartment symbolises a multi-ethnic Canada between two seas, and recalls the [[Mi'kmaq language|Micmac]] origin of the word Memramcook, meaning multi-coloured landscape.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/emb/05/emblems-rl_e.asp|last=Office of the Governor General of Canada|title=Heraldry> Emblems of Canada and of Government House> Symbols of Past Governors General> The Coat of Arms of The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc|publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| date=October 1, 1999|access-date=February 22, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307145651/http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/emb/05/emblems-rl_e.asp |archivedate=March 7, 2011}}</ref>}}

== See also ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [[List of people from Westmorland County, New Brunswick]]
* [[Journalism]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}

== External links ==
* [http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/02/index_e.asp Website of the Governor General of Canada entry for Roméo LeBlanc]
* [http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=3700461&lang=eng Roméo LeBlanc fonds at Library and Archives Canada]
* {{Canadian Parliament links|ID=2559}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ray Hnatyshyn]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor General of Canada]]|years=February 8, 1995 – October 6, 2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Adrienne Clarkson]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=20}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post5         = [[Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]]
| post5years    = April 2, 1979{{spaced ndash}}June 3, 1979
| post5note     =
| post5preceded = New title
| post5followed = [[James McGrath (Canadian politician)|James McGrath]]

| post4         = [[Minister of the Environment (Canada)|Minister of the Environment]]
| post4years    = September 14, 1976{{spaced ndash}}April 1, 1979
| post4note     = styled as<br />Minister of Fisheries and the Environment
| post4preceded = Himself as acting minister
| post4followed = [[Leonard Stephen Marchand]]

| post3         = [[Minister of the Environment (Canada)|Minister of the Environment]] (acting)
| post3years    = July 1, 1976{{spaced ndash}}September 13, 1976
| post3note     =
| post3preceded = [[Jean Marchand]]
| post3followed = Himself as minister

| post2         = [[Minister of the Environment (Canada)|Minister of the Environment]] (acting)
| post2years    = December 5, 1975{{spaced ndash}}January 21, 1976
| post2note     =
| post2preceded = [[Jeanne Sauvé]]
| post2followed = [[Jean Marchand]]

| post1         = Minister of State (Fisheries)
| post1years    = August 8, 1974{{spaced ndash}}September 13, 1976
| post1note     =
| post1preceded = n/a
| post1followed = n/a
}}
{{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=22}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post2         = [[Minister of Public Works (Canada)|Minister of Public Works]]
| post2years    = September 30, 1982{{spaced ndash}}June 29, 1984
| post2note     =
| post2preceded = [[Paul James Cosgrove]]
| post2followed = [[Charles Lapointe]]

| post1         = [[Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)|Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]]
| post1years    = March 3, 1980{{spaced ndash}}September 29, 1982
| post1note     =
| post1preceded = [[James McGrath (Canadian politician)|James McGrath]]
| post1followed = [[Pierre de Bané]]
}}
{{ministry box special cabinet
| post1         = Minister responsible for the<br />[[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation]]
| post1years    = September 30, 1982{{spaced ndash}}June 29, 1984
| post1note     =
| post1preceded = n/a
| post1followed = n/a
}}
{{s-par|ca}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]]
| years  = December 7, 1993{{spaced ndash}}November 21, 1994
| before = [[Guy Charbonneau]]
| after  = [[Gildas Molgat]]
}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Beauséjour (electoral district)|Westmorland—Kent]]
| years  = October 30, 1972 – June 29, 1984
| before = [[Guy F. Crossman]]
| after  = [[Fernand Robichaud]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{CanGG}}
{{Speakers of the Canadian Senate}}
{{CA-Ministers of Public Works}}
{{CA-Ministers of Fisheries}}
{{CA-Ministers of the Environment}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leblanc, Romeo}}
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