| 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 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.
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]