The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Arthur Joseph LeBlanc as the next Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and Ms. Margaret M. Thom as the next Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

Justice LeBlanc is an accomplished barrister, litigator and judge, and has sat on a number of boards for private sector and voluntary organizations. Ms. Thom is a former Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories who has spent her career as a respected educator, counselor, facilitator and volunteer.

Prime Minister Trudeau today also announced the extension of the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield as Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan until December 2017.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable John James Grant, for his hard work and dedication to serving the citizens of Nova Scotia, as well as Mr. Gerald W. Kisoun, the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, who has fulfilled the duties of Territorial Commissioner over the past few months.

Quotes

“Joseph Arthur LeBlanc is an exceptional Nova Scotian, well respected for his legal background and his many contributions to private and volunteer organizations and the legal and academic communities. He is an excellent choice as Nova Scotia’s next Lieutenant Governor and I have no doubt that he will make many important contributions to the future of his province.”
– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Ms. Margaret M. Thom is a proud Northerner, a former Deputy Commissioner, and an admired educator and counselor. She brings experience and a solid understanding of the role. I know that she will represent the people of the Northwest Territories with pride and dedication.”
– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• Lieutenant Governors are the personal representatives of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada in their respective provinces. They fulfill the roles and functions of The Queen, including granting Royal Assent to provincial laws, and visiting communities.
• Lieutenant Governors are appointed by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. They serve terms of at least five years.
• Territorial Commissioners are Governor in Council appointments, and fulfill many of the same duties as the Lieutenant Governor of a province. They are responsible for swearing in Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council, as well as opening the Legislative Assembly and providing assent for legislation it passes.

Related Products

• Biographical Notes – The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc
• Biographical Notes – Margaret M. Thom

Associated Link

• The Lieutenant Governors