On Friday, at Rideau Hall, a commemorative stamp was unveiled bearing the likeness of the late The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc P.C., C.C., C.M.M., O.N.B., C.D., the 25th Governor General. Mr. LeBlanc had served as our representative of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada for nearly five years; once he had left The Queen’s service, he battled Alzheimer’s disease only to pass on in June of 2009.
Brief remarks were given by Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the Governor General, The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc P.C., M.P. (Beausejour), and Ms. Susan Margles, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Framework at Canada Post.
Enhancements to the Recognition of Excellence
During Mr. LeBlanc’s time as Governor General, he created several new methods whereby everyday Canadians could be better recognised for their oustanding caring and excellence. The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award was introduced in 1996, which seeks to recognise Canadians who, through their voluntarism and selflessness, help to improve the world around them. This award has become a core component of our honours system for the general public, and it continues to be awarded by the Governor General today.
Mr. LeBlanc had also partnered with the Canada Council for the Arts to create the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, recognising outstanding career achievement in a fine artistic field. Six prizes are awarded annually, with an additional seventh prize being awarded to someone who has achieved oustanding artistic distinction in a volunteer capacity. The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts are distinctive and prestigious in the artistic community.
Mr. LeBlanc had also formed the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, something that should be emphasized much more than it is today (that is, the teaching of Canadian history). Canadians have much to be proud of in their heritage and history, and it’s important that we make sure to continue to recognise the excellence of those who ensure that the essence of Canadianism is passed on to future generations. Mr. LeBlanc seemed to understand this paramount importance in the work that the former Governor General did to enhance this recognition.
Legacy of the Former Governor General
Mr. LeBlanc had always placed a special focus during his tenure as The Queen’s representative on Aboriginal issues and as having acted as a role model for Acadians. He also focused on the teaching of Canadian history, recognising the Canadian Forces, and bringing a renewed focus to voluntarism. Though his time as Governor General was not as lavish as his successor’s would come to be, his appointment was not without controversy; in fact, he was considered to be too progressive by some political circles, with both Mr. Preston Manning C.C. (then the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition), and The Honourable Lucien Bouchard P.C., G.O.Q. (then the Leader of the Bloc Québécois) refusing to attend the Governor General’s investiture.
Brief remarks were given by Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the Governor General, The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc P.C., M.P. (Beausejour), and Ms. Susan Margles, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Framework at Canada Post.
Enhancements to the Recognition of Excellence
During Mr. LeBlanc’s time as Governor General, he created several new methods whereby everyday Canadians could be better recognised for their oustanding caring and excellence. The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award was introduced in 1996, which seeks to recognise Canadians who, through their voluntarism and selflessness, help to improve the world around them. This award has become a core component of our honours system for the general public, and it continues to be awarded by the Governor General today.
Mr. LeBlanc had also partnered with the Canada Council for the Arts to create the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, recognising outstanding career achievement in a fine artistic field. Six prizes are awarded annually, with an additional seventh prize being awarded to someone who has achieved oustanding artistic distinction in a volunteer capacity. The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts are distinctive and prestigious in the artistic community.
Mr. LeBlanc had also formed the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, something that should be emphasized much more than it is today (that is, the teaching of Canadian history). Canadians have much to be proud of in their heritage and history, and it’s important that we make sure to continue to recognise the excellence of those who ensure that the essence of Canadianism is passed on to future generations. Mr. LeBlanc seemed to understand this paramount importance in the work that the former Governor General did to enhance this recognition.
Legacy of the Former Governor General
Mr. LeBlanc had always placed a special focus during his tenure as The Queen’s representative on Aboriginal issues and as having acted as a role model for Acadians. He also focused on the teaching of Canadian history, recognising the Canadian Forces, and bringing a renewed focus to voluntarism. Though his time as Governor General was not as lavish as his successor’s would come to be, his appointment was not without controversy; in fact, he was considered to be too progressive by some political circles, with both Mr. Preston Manning C.C. (then the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition), and The Honourable Lucien Bouchard P.C., G.O.Q. (then the Leader of the Bloc Québécois) refusing to attend the Governor General’s investiture.