What people are saying about Roméo LeBlanc
LeBlanc died Wednesday morning in his home in southeastern New Brunswick after a lengthy illness. He was 81.
Following are excerpts of what is being said about LeBlanc:
Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean:
Today is a day of mourning, as much for Canadians throughout the country as for the team at Rideau Hall in Ottawa and at the Citadelle of Québec.
He was a man known for his simplicity, his serenity and his generosity. From the beginning of my mandate in 2005, not one day has passed that those who have worked with him in this house, which was both his home and workplace, have not shared with me fond memories of a man who cared so deeply about his fellow Canadians and their day-to-day lives. It is not surprising that his legacy was aimed at recognizing compassion and civic responsibility with the creation of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award.
In addition, he was a proud and tireless defender of la francophonie, both at home and abroad. He carried in him a love of the French language, in particular the accents, colours and rhythms of his Acadian roots, where he took his last breath, facing the ocean that cradled him in his youth.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
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.
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau:
Roméo was one of the rare, real friends to my father ... and that is something that I knew both of them held in high value throughout their lives, the close personal friendship that they had.
The real connection was the genuine closeness and belief in Canadians. Roméo was someone who was always willing to take the time to chat with people, to listen to them, to share with them, to connect on a real personal level.
The love that is pouring in from communities across this country, particularly in New Brunswick and Maritime provinces, but the love that is pouring in, the memories, the tributes, the good wishes going out to his children will make it easier to go through what will be a very difficult couple of weeks.
New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham:
We were saddened to hear today of the death of former governor general, federal minister of fisheries and long-time member of Parliament, Roméo LeBlanc after a long illness.
Mr. LeBlanc was a seminal figure in the Acadian renaissance and a senior voice for New Brunswickers of all backgrounds throughout Canada and the world.
No matter how far he went in his career, no matter how high the position or important the event or audience, Mr. LeBlanc was always the same man from Memramcook. He never forgot where he came from, and he delighted in meeting with people from small towns and villages in every corner of Canada.
He was a proud New Brunswicker and a proud Acadian whose vision, leadership and compassion made a significant difference to his home province and our entire nation.
On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I want to express my condolences to his wife, Diana, their four children, and their families. We all join with them in mourning the loss of this exceptional New Brunswicker and Canadian.
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien:
He never became a snob, he never became an elitist, he [has] never been comfortable with the wealthy or did not seek their presence.
He was a man of the people and very proud of his roots.
Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson:
It is difficult to convey what a likable person he was. Roméo LeBlanc was a great Canadian and a governor general with a genuinely common touch.
He was an Acadian and brought to his national and international work that very fine sensitivity and exquisite bilingualism.
He was great fun to be with but you could never be mistaken about his high intelligence and wonderful perceptions. He was devoted to Canada and we will miss him.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff:
Roméo LeBlanc was a leader and a path-breaker, first as a schoolteacher, then as a journalist, a beloved cabinet minister, a long-serving senator and finally as Canada's 25th governor general — the first Atlantic Canadian and the first Acadian to hold the post.
He served two prime ministers as press secretary and two decades as a parliamentarian. And at every stage in his long and distinguished career, Roméo LeBlanc was first and last a devoted servant of Canada.
As fisheries minister, Roméo LeBlanc defended Canadian sovereignty, helped to shape international maritime law and oversaw sustained growth in the fishing industry. It was because of these accomplishments, and Roméo's legendary rapport with Canada's fishers, that he served as minister of fisheries and oceans longer than any other Canadian.
At this difficult time, as we are saddened by Roméo's passing, we celebrate his life, his achievements and his place in the Canadian story, for which he was always such a passionate advocate.