Neil LeBlanc

Neil LeBlanc
MLA for Argyle
In office 1984–1993
Preceded by	Hugh Tinkham
Succeeded by	Allister Surette
MLA for Argyle
In office 1998–2003
Preceded by	Allister Surette
Succeeded by	Chris d'Entremont
Minister of Finance
In office 1999–2003
Preceded by	Don Downe
Succeeded by	Peter G. Christie
Personal details
Born	August 8, 1956 (1956-08-08) (age 55) Wedgeport, Nova Scotia
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse(s)	Grace LeBlanc
Occupation	Owner of fish and lobster wholesale company

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

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).

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

References

1. ^ "N.S. forecasts first budget surplus in 40 years". CBC.ca. April 4, 2002. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2002/04/04/nsbudget020404.html. Retrieved June 25, 2009. 
2. ^ "Former Tory minister turns diplomat". CBC.ca. July 13, 2006. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/novascotia/story/2006/07/13/leblanc-boston.html. Retrieved June 25, 2009. 
3. ^ LeBlanc possible PC leader. The Chronicle Herald

Persondata
Name	Leblanc, Neil
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 8, 1956
Place of birth	Wedgeport, Nova Scotia
Date of death
Place of death