Mrs. LeBlanc and I were saddened to learn of the passing of the Honourable Gerald Augustine Paul Regan, PC, QC, ECNS, 19^th Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia.  Mr. Regan served as Premier from 1970 to 1978. 

A lawyer by training, Mr. Regan was one of the region’s most well-known lawyers in the field of labour law.  He served his Province and Canada through his lengthy career in elected office, first as a Member of Parliament for Halifax in 1963 and then in 1965 he was chosen as Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.  In 1965 he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Nova Scotia where he represented Halifax Needham and became the Leader of the Opposition.  In this role he was known to be highly effective and persistent in calling the Premier and the Government of the day to account on matters directly impacting Nova Scotians.  After the election of 1970, Mr. Regan became Premier and amongst his many accomplishments was establishing the Office of the Ombudsman.  In 1980, Mr. Regan re-entered the House of Commons where he held several cabinet portfolios under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau including Minister of Labour; Minister of Amateur Sport; Secretary of State of Canada; Minister for International Trade; and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources.  In addition to his ministerial responsibilities, Mr. Regan sat on and chaired numerous Standing Committees and Cabinet Committees. In recognition of his contributions to Nova Scotia and Canada, Saint Mary’s University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1982.  

Mrs. LeBlanc and I extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Regan’s wife Carole, family and friends on their loss.

The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC
Lieutenant Governor