Gail Bates and the Oshawa Greens would like to express their condolences to the family and friends of Right Honourable Romeo Leblanc (12/18/27 – 06/24/09), Canada’s 25th Governor General, from February 8th, 1995 to October 8th, 1999. LeBlanc was born and educated on Canada’s east coast and also studied in France prior to becoming a teacher and then a journalist for Radio-Canada. He was subsequently elected to the House of Commons in 1972, whereafter he served as a minister of the Crown until 1984, when he was moved to the Senate and became that chamber’s speaker. LeBlanc’s later appointment as the Canadian viceroy caused some controversy, due to perceptions of political favouritism, though he was praised for raising the stature of Acadians and francophones in Canada, and for opening up Rideau Hall to ordinary Canadians and tourists alike. LeBlanc cited his health as the reason for his stepping down from the viceregal post.