A stamp bearing the likeness of the late Romeo LeBlanc, governor general of Canada from 1995 to 1999, was unveilved Friday at Rideau Hall. The ceremony was hosted by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Romeo LeBlanc died on June 24, 2009. LeBlanc was born in Memramcook, N.B., in 1927, and was the first governor general from the Maritimes.

LeBlanc died after a slow decline from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.

As minister of fisheries in the Trudeau government, he declared he was “minister, not of fish, but of fishermen,” and he proved it, establishing a 200-mile fishing zone that protected Canadian fishermen from the predations of foreign trawlers.

As governor general, he opened the grounds of Rideau Hall to the public, and set up the Caring Canadian Award to recognize the thousands of people who volunteer time and effort to help others. As a francophone, he tried, with some success, to make Quebecers feel closer to the office of the governor general. And as a powerful Canadian representative to the Francophonie, he strengthened Canada’s ties to other nations with French culture.

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