Honorary patrons
Diana Fowler LeBlanc, C.C., B.S.W., D.U.
Diana Fowler LeBlanc's passionate commitment
to the advancement of social issues stems from her recent social work studies
and her many years' work in related fields in Britain.
Born in Toronto, Diana Fowler earned a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University, completing the studies she began as a mature student before her husband was appointed Governor General. In 1998, Mrs. Leblanc received an Honorary Degree from the University of Sudbury in recognition of her work, during her husband's mandate, to raise awareness around social issues facing Aboriginal Peoples. She is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America.
In 1960, Mrs. Leblanc worked at Radio-Canada in Paris and, later, at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in London, England. From 1969 to 1980, she held various administrative positions in medical and legal fields. She was a medical conference organizer from 1980 to 1989, and was involved in a number of educational and research projects for the British Heart Foundation and the British and International Societies for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. During this period, Mrs. Leblanc also organized educational courses in development pediatrics for doctors and therapists specializing in childhood diseases. She served as Committee Secretary for Libertas, a non-profit charity for people with disabilities, and did volunteer work for Mobility Trust, a charitable organization for people with impaired mobility.
Mrs. Leblanc is honorary chair of The Diana Fowler LeBlanc Aboriginal Social Work Scholarship. She created this scholarship to enable Aboriginal students to pursue studies in social work at recognized universities and colleges across Canada.
Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc have four children.