Edmond Blanchard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edmond P. Blanchard (born May 31, 1954 in Atholville, New Brunswick) is a Canadian jurist and former politician.
As a Liberal, Blanchard was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1987 when his party won every seat in the legislature. He joined cabinet as the minister of state responsible for mining in 1989 and, following his re-election in 1991 was appointed Minister of Justice and carried several other ministerial responsibilities. He was elected to a third term in 1995 and given the high profile portfolio of finance minister.
His good looks, fluent bilingualism and success as Minister of Finance made him a strong candidate to succeed Frank McKenna for the Liberal leadership in 1998. He looked as though he would steal the mantle of front-runner from Camille Thériault who had been organizing for the post for several years. Thériault's supporters began to spread quiet rumours that Blanchard, a bachelor, was homosexual. Blanchard dropped out of the race rather than expose his personal life.
He continued in the finance ministry after Thériault became Premier of New Brunswick and was re-elected to his Campbellton riding in 1999. He served briefly in opposition before being appointed to the Federal Court of Canada in 2000, shortly thereafter he also took a seat on the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada. When the Federal Court of Canada was split into the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal in 2003, he took a seat on the Federal Court while maintaining his post on the Court Martial court.
In 2004, he became Chief Justice of the Court Martial appeals court.
| Provincial Government of Frank McKenna | ||
| Cabinet Post | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| himself in McKenna government |
Minister of Finance (1998-1999) |
himself in Thériault government |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| himself in Frenette government |
Minister of State for Quality (1998-1999) designation discontinued |
none |
| Provincial Government of Ray Frenette | ||
| Cabinet Post | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| himself in McKenna government |
Minister of Finance (1997-1998) |
himself in Thériault government |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| himself in McKenna government |
Minister of State for Quality (1997-1998) |
himself in Thériault government |
| Provincial Government of Frank McKenna | ||
| Cabinet Posts (3) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Allan Maher | Minister of Finance (1995-1997) |
himself in Frenette government |
| Jim Lockyer | Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1991-1995) |
Paul Duffie |
| Aldea Landry | Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (1991-1994) |
Roland Beaulieu |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| none | Minister of State for Quality (1995-1997) new designation |
himself in Frenette government |
| ? | Minister of State for Mines & Energy (1989-1991) |
Doug Tyler |
