Neil LeBlanc
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Neil LeBlanc, B.Comm, (born 1956) is the former finance minister of Nova Scotia, Canada.
LeBlanc, a graduate of St. Mary’s University, worked for Peat, Marwick and Mitchel. He entered politics in 1984, becoming the Member of the House of Assembly for the riding of Argyle. LeBlanc after his second election victory in 1988, he was named Solicitor General, becoming one of Nova Scotia’s youngest Cabinet Ministers.
In the 1990's, 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, he returned home to establish N. LeBlanc Enterprises Ltd., a fish and lobster wholesale company.
In 1998, LeBlanc made a successful comeback and won his seat, as a result LeBlanc was made House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus.
In 1999, LeBlanc was re-elected for a fourth time and appointed Minister of Finance, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, as well as Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs, Nova Scotia Resources Ltd., Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Halifax/Dartmouth Bridge Commission; and President de l’Association des Parlementaire Francais.
After taking office, Hamm sold or closed government-owned industries such as Sydney Steel. He invested more in education and health care, and implemented some tax cuts.
In 2001 LeBlanc introduced Nova Scotia’s first balanced budget in years.
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 run for the Leadership of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party. Originally considered a front-runner, LeBlanc's campaign team ran a poor campaign, and LeBlanc finished last. Dropped from the second ballot, LeBlanc then endorsed Rodney MacDonald, who defeated Bill Black in the decisive ballot. LeBlanc's campaign was badly hurt by his refusing to run for office if he lost the race.
Neil Leblanc was rumoured for several months to be in consideration for one of several high-profile government posts. It is speculated that Neil may be named Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, Consular General to Boston, or Deputy Finance Minister. Many Nova Scotians, both inside and outside of the Tory party, feel that Neil would have won a majority government in the Provincial Election held June 13th. On July 13th, Neil was named as Consular General to Boston. It is widely thought that Neil's experience in both the private and public sectors will greatly benefit the Atlantic Canadian seafood export market in Boston.
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