The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc PC CC CMM ONB CD |
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25th Governor General of Canada | |
In office February 8, 1995 – October 7, 1999 |
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Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
Preceded by | Ray Hnatyshyn |
Succeeded by | Adrienne Clarkson |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc December 18, 1927 Memramcook, New Brunswick, Canada |
Died | June 24, 2009 Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, Canada |
(aged 81)
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse(s) |
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Children |
Dominic LeBlanc Genevieve LeBlanc |
Profession | Politician, Journalist, Teacher |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Signature |
Viceregal styles of Roméo LeBlanc (1995–1999) |
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Reference style | His Excellency the Right Honourable Son Excellence le très honorable |
Spoken style | Your Excellency Votre Excellence |
Alternative style | Sir Monsieur |
Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc PC CC CMM ONB CD (December 18, 1927 – June 24, 2009) was a Canadian journalist, politician, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 25th since Canadian Confederation.
LeBlanc was born and educated on Canada's east coast and also studied in France prior to becoming a teacher and then a reporter for Radio-Canada. He was subsequently elected to the House of Commons in 1972, whereafter he served as a minister of the Crown until 1984, when he was moved to the Senate and became that chamber's Speaker. He was in 1994 appointed as governor general by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien, to replace 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 francophones, and for opening up Rideau Hall to ordinary Canadians and tourists alike.