Arthur LeBlanc

Arthur Joseph LeBlanc ONS KC (born 1943) is a Canadian lawyer and judge who was the 33rd lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia from 2017 to 2024.^[1] He was appointed as the Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne in September 2025.

MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III

Governors General

PremierStephen McNeil
Iain Rankin
Tim Houston

Preceded byJohn James Grant

Quick facts 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Monarchs ...

The Honourable Arthur LeBlanc ONS KC
LeBlanc in 2020

33rd Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
In office June 28, 2017 – December 13, 2024
Monarchs	Elizabeth II Charles III
Governors General	David Johnston Julie Payette Mary Simon
Premier	Stephen McNeil Iain Rankin Tim Houston
Preceded by	John James Grant
Succeeded by	Mike Savage
Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
In office 1998 – June 28, 2017
Nominated by	Jean Chrétien

Personal details
Born	Arthur Joseph LeBlanc 1943 (age 82–83) West Arichat, Nova Scotia, Canada
Alma mater	St. Francis Xavier University Dalhousie University
Profession	Lawyer judge

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Early life and education

Arthur LeBlanc was born in 1943 in West Arichat, Nova Scotia. He attended St. Francis Xavier University, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Commerce, subsequently earning a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 1968. He was admitted to the bar in November 1968.^[2]

Career

Legal career

LeBlanc practiced law for over 30 years, concentrating his practice in civil litigation. In 1983, LeBlanc was appointed as Queen's Counsel.^[2] In 1998, he was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.^[2] During this time, he concluded almost 15 years of litigation between the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children and the provincial government, signing off on a CA$29 million settlement for the former residents of the home.^[3]

Lieutenant governor

LeBlanc was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia on June 14, 2017, by Governor General David Johnston on the constitutional advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.^[2] He was sworn in on June 28, 2017.^[4] He was Nova Scotia's first Lieutenant Governor of Acadian descent.^[2]^[5]

Université Sainte-Anne

In September 2025, LeBlanc was named the Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne, succeeding Noël Després.^[6]

Personal life

LeBlanc is married to his wife, Rosemarie Patricia LeBlanc. Together they have three sons: Pierre, André, and Robert.^[2]

Awards and honours

Ribbon Bar of Arthur LeBlanc^[7]

Ribbon	Description	Post-nominal letters	Notes
	Knight/Dame of the Order of St. John	KStJ
	Order of Nova Scotia	ONS
	Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal		Canadian version
	Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal		Nova Scotia version
	King Charles III Coronation Medal		Canadian version

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Arthur Joseph LeBlanc
Notes The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 17, 2018, in Volume 152, page 3860 of the Canada Gazette.^[8] Granted 2018 Crest A balance its pivot a ship’s wheel Or, issuant from a coronet of maple leaves Gules and treble clefs, its rim Azure. Escutcheon Tierced in pairle reversed Azure, Gules and Argent, in chief two closed books Or edged Argent, in base a ship Azure of three sails Azure charged with a mullet Or, Argent and Gules. Supporters Two blue jays standing on a mount of mayflowers proper Motto DONNER LE MEILLEUR DE SOI Symbolism The colours are taken from the Acadian flag, His Honour being the first Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia of Acadian descent and the first francophone since 1713. The ship’s sails are in the form of the Acadian flag. The ship honours His Honour’s mariner ancestors, and is also a symbol of Acadia and of New Brunswick, the birthplace of Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc. The books symbolize Their Honours' commitment to education and the arts. The balance is a symbol of justice and refers to His Honour's career as a lawyer and a judge. The ship’s wheel connects the design to the ship in the arms. The maple leaves allude to his service to Canada, and the treble clefs indicate Their Honours’ support for the arts. The blue jay is a local bird species. The mayflowers are the provincial flower of Nova Scotia.