Arthur J LeBlanc sworn in as 33 lieutenant-governor

By Mark Hodgins/Canadian Press

Nova Scotia has sworn in its first Acadian lieutenant-governor. The former supreme court of Nova Scotia justice is the province’s 33 lieutenant-governor.

At a ceremony at Province House today Arthur J LeBlanc took over the vice-regal job from retired brigadier-general John James Grant.

LeBlanc said the Expulsion of the Acadians was a dark period of Nova Scotia’s history. He added though, Acadians are a resilient people and he looks forward to promoting Acadian culture in his new role.

LeBlanc practiced law in the province for 30 years before becoming a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge in 1998.

He told News 95.7 he didn’t think he would be in this position even when he was appointed to the Supreme Court.

“I knew that I would have to retire at 75 and that was the extent of my forward thinking, if I can put it that way,” said LeBlanc.

The role of the lieutenant-governor is a largely symbolic one, but the office is not without its powers. LeBlanc can choose not to give a provincial bill royal assent, if he deems it is not in the public interest.

The next step for the new lieutenant-governor is to have an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, but no date has been set for that yet.

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