Government of Canada renames Greater Moncton International Airport in honour of former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc

MONCTON, NB, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today announced the renaming of the Greater Moncton International Airport to the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport. The new name proclaimed today is effective immediately.

The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc was the 25^th Governor General of Canada from 1995-1999 and both the first Acadian, and Atlantic Canadian to hold this office. During his mandate, he shared with Canadians causes that were important to him, bringing more attention to voluntarism, the teaching of Canadian history, Aboriginal peoples, and peacekeeping and the military. Born in Memramcook, New Brunswick, Mr. LeBlanc spent nine years as a teacher and developed strong beliefs about the important role that educators play in our society. 

In 1960, Mr. LeBlanc turned to journalism, working as a correspondent for Radio-Canada which led him to serve as Press Secretary to Prime Ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Mr. LeBlanc was elected to the House of Commons in 1972, representing the riding of Westmorland-Kent (New Brunswick) and was a cabinet minister from 1974 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984. Mr. LeBlanc became a Senator in 1984 and was appointed Speaker of the Senate in 1993.

Quotes

"I am pleased to honour this distinguished Canadian and son of New Brunswick who served his country admirably through a long and prominent career in public service. As a teacher, journalist, parliamentarian, and the first Governor General from the Maritimes, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc believed strongly that Canada's greatness comes from its citizens. The naming of the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport is a fitting tribute to him and a reminder of his service to all Canadians."
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

"My family is grateful to Minister Garneau, and the Government of Canada, for this generous tribute to my late father. This airport is a critical piece of the long-term economic development of our region--and my father would certainly have been touched to see his name associated with such an impressive facility."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"The Board of Directors of the Greater Moncton International Airport is honoured to support the Minister of Transport's decision. Throughout his life, Roméo LeBlanc served in many facets of public service. Mr. LeBlanc's ability to bring people together from both linguistic communities, his national presence, and his never ending support for our region and its people makes him a natural choice for this long lasting tribute."
Christopher D. Bacich
Chair of Board of Directors, Greater Moncton International Airport Authority

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

Contacts : Mélany Gauvin, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]