In recognition of his distinguished career in public service, Canada Post is honouring former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc with a commemorative stamp that will be issued on Monday, February 8.
"Mr. LeBlanc represents the very best of what it means to be a politician in this country," said Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services at Canada Post. "His passion and dedication for public service is an example and one that deserves recognition."
Born in Memramcook, New Brunswick in 1927, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc began his career as a teacher and journalist before serving as press secretary to Prime Ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. In 1972, Mr. LeBlanc was elected to the House of Commons in the federal riding of Westmorland-Kent in New Brunswick. He served as Minister of Fisheries in three of Prime Minister Trudeau's cabinets.
During his tenure as Minister of Fisheries, Mr. LeBlanc oversaw the expansion of Canada's coastal fishing zone from a 12-mile limit to its current 200-mile limit and helped shape the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He was appointed to the Senate in 1984 and became the first Acadian Governor General of Canada-and the first from Atlantic Canada-in1995, serving in that role until late1999.
As Governor General, Mr. LeBlanc promoted personal causes such as voluntarism and an appreciation for Canada's Aboriginal culture. He launched the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to recognize the courage and dedication of ordinary Canadians, and he proclaimed June 21st as National Aboriginal Day.
The commemorative stamp features Mr. LeBlanc's official portrait. The Canadian, New Brunswick and Acadian flags are positioned below the portrait. The stamp pane has been used to tell of Mr. LeBlanc's service to Canada and features his personal Coat of Arms, the Order of Canada insignia, the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, and the Governor General's Academic Medal.
About the stamp
Each stamp measures 32 mm x 32 mm (square) and have 13+ perforations. Lowe-Martin printed the stamps, which are available in panes of 16 stamps. The stamps are P.V.A and printed on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in eight colours. They are general tagged on four sides. The official first day cover will be cancelled in Memramcook, New Brunswick – the site of Mr. LeBlanc's birth place.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the news section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are also available. Stamps and other products will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at canadapost.ca/collection, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362, and from other countries, call: 902 863-6550.
