Neil LeBlanc
Encyclopedia
Neil J. LeBlanc, is a former politician in Nova Scotia
, Canada
.
LeBlanc, a graduate of St. Mary’s University, worked for the chartered accounting firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell (now KPMG
).
He entered politics in 1984
, when he was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
as a Progressive Conservative for the riding of Argyle
. LeBlanc after his second election victory in 1988
, was named Solicitor General, becoming one of Nova Scotia’s youngest Cabinet Ministers.
In the 1990s, LeBlanc also served as Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and Minister of Government Services.
He lost his seat during the Liberal sweep of 1993
, and returned home to establish N. LeBlanc Enterprises Ltd., a fish and lobster wholesale company.
LeBlanc made a successful return to politics in the 1998 election
, winning back the seat he lost, five years earlier. Following the election, he was named as the Progressive Conservative House Leader.
He was re-elected in the 1999 election
, that saw the Progressive Conservatives under John Hamm
form a majority government. He was appointed Minister of Finance
, Minister of Business and Consumer Services
, as well as Minister of Acadian Affairs
. Along with his cabinet duties, he was also named the minister responsible for Nova Scotia Resources Ltd., Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Halifax/Dartmouth Bridge Commission; and President de l’Association des Parlementaire Francais.
In 2002, LeBlanc introduced Nova Scotia’s first balanced budget in 40 years.
In 2003, LeBlanc retired after 14 years as an MLA and eight and a half years as a Cabinet Minister, to return to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia to spend more time with his family and to assume his new duties as the Chief Administrative Officer
of the Municipality of the District of Argyle.
In 2005, LeBlanc announced his candidacy for the Leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. Originally considered a front-runner, LeBlanc finished last on the first ballot, 59 votes behind the leader, Rodney MacDonald
, and 12 behind second place finisher, Bill Black
. Dropped from the second ballot, LeBlanc endorsed MacDonald, who defeated Black on the decisive ballot.
On July 13, 2006, LeBlanc was named as Consul General
to Boston replacing Stan Keyes
.
Following the Progressive Conservative defeat to the New Democratic Party in the 2009 election and the subsequent resignation of Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia leader Rodney MacDonald
, LeBlanc was touted as a possible contender to replace MacDonald.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Biography
He was born to Alfred LeBlanc and Gladys Bourque.LeBlanc, a graduate of St. Mary’s University, worked for the chartered accounting firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell (now KPMG
KPMG
KPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC. Its global headquarters is located in Amstelveen, Netherlands....
).
He entered politics in 1984
Nova Scotia general election, 1984
The 31st Nova Scotia general election was held on November 6, 1984 to elect members of the 54th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party....
, when he was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
as a Progressive Conservative for the riding of Argyle
Argyle (electoral district)
Argyle is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Chris d'Entremont of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia....
. LeBlanc after his second election victory in 1988
Nova Scotia general election, 1988
The 32nd Nova Scotia general election was held on September 6, 1988 to elect members of the 55th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party.* Vote share included in "other"...
, was named Solicitor General, becoming one of Nova Scotia’s youngest Cabinet Ministers.
In the 1990s, LeBlanc also served as Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and Minister of Government Services.
He lost his seat during the Liberal sweep of 1993
Nova Scotia general election, 1993
The 33rd Nova Scotia general election was held on May 25, 1993 to elect members of the 56th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberals under John Savage won a landslide victory over the unpopular Progressive Conservatives under Premier Donald Cameron, while Alexa...
, and returned home to establish N. LeBlanc Enterprises Ltd., a fish and lobster wholesale company.
LeBlanc made a successful return to politics in the 1998 election
Nova Scotia general election, 1998
The 34th Nova Scotia general election was held on March 24, 1998 to elect members of the 57th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberal party and the New Democratic Party tied in the seat count, with 19 each, while the Progressive Conservatives won 14 seats...
, winning back the seat he lost, five years earlier. Following the election, he was named as the Progressive Conservative House Leader.
He was re-elected in the 1999 election
Nova Scotia general election, 1999
The 35th Nova Scotia general election was held on July 27, 1999, to elect members of the 58th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party, led by Dr...
, that saw the Progressive Conservatives under John Hamm
John Hamm
John Frederick Hamm, is a Canadian physician and politician and was the 25th Premier of Nova Scotia, Canada.Hamm, a graduate of the University of King's College and Dalhousie University, was a family doctor in his hometown of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and the president of the Nova Scotia Medical...
form a majority government. He was appointed Minister of Finance
Executive Council of Nova Scotia
The Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
, Minister of Business and Consumer Services
Executive Council of Nova Scotia
The Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
, as well as Minister of Acadian Affairs
Executive Council of Nova Scotia
The Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
. Along with his cabinet duties, he was also named the minister responsible for Nova Scotia Resources Ltd., Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Halifax/Dartmouth Bridge Commission; and President de l’Association des Parlementaire Francais.
In 2002, LeBlanc introduced Nova Scotia’s first balanced budget in 40 years.
In 2003, LeBlanc retired after 14 years as an MLA and eight and a half years as a Cabinet Minister, to return to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia to spend more time with his family and to assume his new duties as the Chief Administrative Officer
Chief administrative officer
A chief administrative officer is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations. The CAO is one of the highest ranking members of an organization, managing daily operations and usually reporting directly to the chief executive officer. In some companies,...
of the Municipality of the District of Argyle.
In 2005, LeBlanc announced his candidacy for the Leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. Originally considered a front-runner, LeBlanc finished last on the first ballot, 59 votes behind the leader, Rodney MacDonald
Rodney MacDonald
Rodney Joseph MacDonald is a Canadian politician, educator and musician who served as the 26th Premier of Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009 and as MLA for the riding of Inverness in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2009....
, and 12 behind second place finisher, Bill Black
Bill Black (politician)
William "Bill" Black is a businessman and a politician from Nova Scotia. He ran in the Leadership race for the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia in 2006, finishing second to Rodney MacDonald....
. Dropped from the second ballot, LeBlanc endorsed MacDonald, who defeated Black on the decisive ballot.
On July 13, 2006, LeBlanc was named as Consul General
Canadian Consulate-General, Boston
The Consulate-General of Canada in Boston is a diplomatic mission of Canada located in Suite 400 of Three Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The Boston office covers the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont...
to Boston replacing Stan Keyes
Stan Keyes
Stanley Kazmierczak Keyes, PC is a Canadian diplomat and former politician.Keyes was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 election as the Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Hamilton West. He was subsequently reelected in 1993, 1997 and 2000 elections...
.
Following the Progressive Conservative defeat to the New Democratic Party in the 2009 election and the subsequent resignation of Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia leader Rodney MacDonald
Rodney MacDonald
Rodney Joseph MacDonald is a Canadian politician, educator and musician who served as the 26th Premier of Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009 and as MLA for the riding of Inverness in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2009....
, LeBlanc was touted as a possible contender to replace MacDonald.