Thousands to pay tribute to Romeo LeBlanc during state funeral on Friday

The “fishermen’s minister” will be paid tribute to when a state funeral is held for former governor general Romeo LeBlanc in Memramcook, New Brunswick on Friday.

LeBlanc died last week at the age of 81. He died following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

LeBlanc requested that is funeral be held in Memramcook. The farming community takes in the village of L’Anse-aux-Cormier where LeBlanc was born.

Aside from being this country’s first Acadian governor general, LeBlanc was also Canada’s longest serving fisheries minister. His greatest accomplishment is considered to be the extension of Canada’s fishing boundary to protect fish stocks through the creation of the 200-mile limit.

LeBlanc remarked that he was minister to the fishermen. He is still widely respected by the industry for the work he carried out in the portfolio from 1976 to 1982.

As his flag-draped casket lay in state on Thursday, several of the bouquets of flowers in the room had been sent by fishermen.

LeBlanc was appointed governor general by then prime minister Jean Chretien. He served as governor general from 1995 to 1999.

The state funeral for LeBlanc will take place Friday morning, July 3. Several dignitaries will attend the funeral, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General Michaelle Jean and former prime minister Jean Chretien, who will deliver a eulogy. There are 3,000 people expected for the service.