24 June 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.D., B.A., B.ED., former Governor General of Canada, federal Member of Parliament, cabinet minister, Senator and Speaker of the Senate:
“I was deeply saddened to learn today of the death of Roméo LeBlanc.
“Mr. LeBlanc was a passionate Canadian who served his country with distinction and honour. As Canada’s 25th Governor General since Confederation, and Canada’s first Acadian-born Governor General, he performed his duties with vigour and conviction. He profoundly believed Canadians should know more about their own extraordinary, everyday courage; among his legacies is the creation of the Caring Canadian Award, a hallmark of Canada’s Honours System, dedicated to the recognition of voluntarism and community involvement on the part of our fellow citizens.
“Before earning distinction as Governor General, Roméo LeBlanc served his constituents in New Brunswick, and indeed all Canadians, as a parliamentarian from 1972 to 1994. He is also remembered for his distinguished service as Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, a post he held longer than any other Minister.
“Roméo LeBlanc will be greatly missed not only by those who knew him personally, his family, friends and former colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched directly, but also by those who knew him only as a public figure, one whose personal warmth and dedication to duty and his country are his legacy.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Diana Fowler LeBlanc, to the children, and to his extended family and friends.”
