PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR APPOINTMENT

Leonce Bernard is a widely-respected Islander. He has enjoyed success in business and public life and has been influential, provincially and nationally, in the cooperative movement.

Mr. Bernard served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (1963-67) and from 1970-86 and 1993-97 as Manager of Evangeline Credit Union in Wellington, P.E.I. From 1991-93 and from 1997-2001, he was Manager of La Coopérative Le Village Acadien Ltéé. He has been President of the Council of Cooperatives of PEI; member of the National Council of Cooperatives; and, a member of the advisory committee to the Minister responsible for Cooperatives.

Mr. Bernard was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly for 3rd Prince in 1975 and was re-elected 5 times. From 1986-89, he served as Minister of Industry and Chairman of the P.E.I. Development Agency, and from 1989-91 as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. He retired from the Legislative Assembly in 1993.

Mr. Bernard has an extensive record of community involvement. He has been: Chairman and Treasurer of the Village of Wellington; Vice President of the United Way; a member of the Wellington Fire Department; Treasurer of the Wellington Boys and Girls Club; Treasurer of the EvangelineTourist Association; and, President of Club Richelieu Évangeline.

Mr. Bernard and his wife Florence have four children – Michel, Pierre, Francine and Charles. They also have two grandchildren. Mr Bernard is 57 years of age.