Dominic LeBlanc shuns 'part-time' label, talks of future legacy as fisheries minister
LeBlanc signals long-term role in 1st remarks as fisheries minister to mark World Oceans Day
Dominic LeBlanc spoke Wednesday about the legacy he hopes to leave as fisheries minister, a signal his appointment may not be as short-term as some of his critics have suggested.
LeBlanc, who also works as government house leader, was appointment as minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard in a surprise announcement came last week, after the abrupt resignation of Hunter Tootoo.
Tootoo resigned from cabinet and left the Liberal caucus to seek treatment for addiction issues, after what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said was a "very difficult situation."
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"As some of you know, I have been on this job now for eight days," LeBlanc said in his opening remarks at the launch of a national summit in Ottawa to mark World Oceans Day.
He said that he hopes 40 years from now, "the legacy for me … is defined by the work that I can do with all of you on protecting and preserving our oceans, the ecosystems in our oceans, and leaving a legacy and a footprint that would inspire the people in this room and those whom you represent."
LeBlanc went on to announce the Liberal government's plan to meet marine protection targets, as Shell Canada hands over 30 offshore exploration permits in the Eastern Arctic.
He told the crowd that the opposition accused him the day before of being a "part-time minister" — something Trudeau had a bit of fun with, LeBlanc said.
"The prime minister teased me. He said he thought I was doing the House leader's job part-time, so he could imagine how bad it'll be now," LeBlanc joked.
"But I am, joking aside, being brought up to date and reading and thinking a lot about key issues facing not only my department but our government and our country."
Conflict of interest?
Conservative MP Mark Strahl on accused Trudeau Tuesday of putting LeBlanc in a conflict of interest, given the minister's personal ties to New Brunswick's powerful Irving family.
"They have numerous fisheries interests in Atlantic Canada, and Irving Shipyards is a key supplier to the Canadian Coast Guard," Strahl said during question period the day before. "Why did the prime minister put his part-time minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard into a full-time conflict of interest?"
Federal ethics commissioner Mary Dawson told LeBlanc earlier this year he would have to avoid taking part in any decisions involving the Irvings.
On Tuesday, LeBlanc said he consulted with Dawson again "within hours" of being appointed to the fisheries ministry.
"I proactively reached out to the Ethics Commissioner. I asked for her advice as to what measures could be put in place to ensure that there is no conflict of interest, nor will there be an appearance of a conflict of interest, and I will be following her advice at every moment as I always have," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc follows in father's footsteps
LeBlanc's said it was "a humbling moment" when the prime minister asked him to take over the fisheries ministry.
"I was humbled but also excited by the opportunity it presents me … to follow in the footsteps of my father, who held not an identical job but a similar job over 30 years ago," LeBlanc said at the Canada's Ocean Summit on Wednesday.
LeBlanc's father, Roméo LeBlanc, died in 2009 following a lengthy illness. He had been a longtime Liberal MP, cabinet minister and then senator before being named Canada's 25th governor general.
He was appointed minister of fisheries and oceans by then-prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1979, just before the the Liberals were defeated by Joe Clark in an election. LeBlanc resumed his post when the Liberals returned to power in 1980, serving as fisheries minister until September, 1982.
"In fact, my father was the first minister of fisheries and oceans, having convinced the then-prime minister to add 'oceans' to the fisheries mandate, and he was sworn in to that portfolio in 1979," the Liberal MP for Beauséjour, N.B., said in Ottawa on Wednesday.
The Liberals have remained tight-lipped about the "very difficult situation" that led to Tootoo's exit from the Liberal cabinet and party caucus.