Neil LeBlanc

Neil J. LeBlanc (born August 8, 1956) is a former politician in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Neil LeBlanc
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Argyle
In office
November 6, 1984 – May 25, 1993
Preceded byHugh Tinkham
Succeeded byAllister Surette
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Argyle
In office
March 24, 1998 – August 5, 2003
Preceded byAllister Surette
Succeeded byChris d'Entremont
Minister of Finance
In office
August 16, 1999 – August 5, 2003
Preceded byDon Downe
Succeeded byPeter G. Christie
Personal details
Born (1956-08-08) August 8, 1956
Wedgeport, Nova Scotia
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Spouse(s)Grace LeBlanc
OccupationOwner of fish and lobster wholesale company

Early life and education

He was born in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia to Gladys (Bourque) and Alfred LeBlanc. He graduated from Saint Mary’s University and then for the chartered accounting firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell (now KPMG).

Political career

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,[1] 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 to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Finance, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, as well as Minister of Acadian Affairs.[2][3] 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.[4]

In 2003, LeBlanc retired after 14 years as an MLA and eight and a half years as a cabinet minister, to return to Wedgeport to spend more time with his family and to briefly assume duties as Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality of the District of Argyle.[5]

Leadership candidacy

In 2005, LeBlanc announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.[6] 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.[7] Dropped from the second ballot, LeBlanc endorsed MacDonald, who defeated Black on the decisive ballot.[8]

After politics

On July 13, 2006, LeBlanc was named as Consul General to Boston replacing Stan Keyes.[9]

Following the Progressive Conservative defeat to the New Democratic Party in the 2009 election and the subsequent resignation of Progressive Conservative leader Rodney MacDonald, LeBlanc was touted as a possible contender to replace MacDonald.[10]

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References
  1. "Liberal sweep claims cabinet ministers". The Chronicle Herald. May 26, 1993. Archived from the original on August 30, 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  2. John Hamm Names New Cabinet Province of Nova Scotia
  3. "Hamm shrinks cabinet". The Chronicle Herald. August 14, 1999. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  4. "N.S. forecasts first budget surplus in 40 years". CBC.ca. April 4, 2002. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  5. "LeBlanc, Holm, MacEwan leaving politics". The Chronicle Herald. January 16, 2003. Archived from the original on November 7, 2003. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  6. "LeBlanc enters Tory leadership race". CBC News. October 28, 2005. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  7. Sogawa, Takuya (February 13, 2006). "After tight race, Tories will unite under new leader: delegates". Nova News Net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  8. "N.S. Tories pick youthful leader". CBC News. February 11, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  9. "Former Tory minister turns diplomat". CBC.ca. July 13, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  10. LeBlanc possible PC leader. The Chronicle Herald
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