Dominic LeBlanc taking leave from Liberal cabinet to battle cancer

By The Canadian Press

Posted April 26, 2019 2:23 pm.

Last Updated April 26, 2019 3:13 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

Dominic LeBlanc is stepping away temporarily from his duties as intergovernmental and northern affairs minister after being diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The 52-year-old plans to go back to work once treatment is completed and he still intends to run for re-election this fall in the New Brunswick riding of Beausejour, which he has held since 2000.

This is LeBlanc’s second bout with cancer; he was diagnosed in April 2017 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and was declared to be in “complete remission” last October.

His oncologist, Dr. Nicholas Finn, says non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a treatable condition and LeBlanc has responded positively to initial treatments.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau will take over LeBlanc’s duties on the intergovernmental and internal-trade files for now.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett will take on issues related to northern affairs.

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