Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named a Nova Scotia judge as the province’s new lieutenant-governor.
Arthur LeBlanc, who has been a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia since 1998, replaces John James Grant in the vice-regal job.
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Lieutenant-governors represent the Queen in their respective provinces, handling her roles and functions, including granting royal assent to laws.
Leblanc was born in West Arichat, N.S. in 1943, graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1964 with a commerce degree and earned a law degree from Dalhousie University in 1968.
He practised law in the province for 30 years before being named to the bench.
LeBlanc was the judge that signed off on $29-million settlement between former residents of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children and the provincial government, closing nearly 15 years of litigation.
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He is married to Rosemarie Patricia (Patsy) LeBlanc and they have three sons and six grandchildren.
The prime minister said LeBlanc is well respected for his legal work, as well as his contributions to and volunteer organizations.
“He is an excellent choice as Nova Scotia’s next lieutenant-governor and I have no doubt that he will make many important contributions to the future of his province,” Trudeau said in a statement.
Premier Stephen McNeil recognized LeBlanc for his contributions to the Acadian community in a statement released Wednesday evening.
“Throughout his life he has served Nova Scotians and this service to others will undoubtedly continue in his new role,” McNeil said in the statement.
The premier, who was elected to his second mandate only two weeks ago, went on to thank Grant and his wife for their service to the province “and their role in making Nova Scotia a better place.”
—With files from Sean Previl, Global News
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