An Acadian historian and author who is one of the founders of the Acadian Historical Village is the province’s newest recipient
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An Acadian historian, author, and long-time civil servant who is one of the founders of the Acadian Historical Village is the province’s newest recipient of the Order of Canada.
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Caraquet’s Clarence LeBreton is among 61 new appointments to the country’s highest civilian honour made by new Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour on Friday ahead of Canada Day.
LeBreton is in a class that promotes actor Michael J. Fox and soccer legend Christine Sinclair to companions, as well as hockey icon Yvan Cournoyer to an officer of the order.
“The Order of Canada recognizes those whose contributions help us see our country and our place in the world with greater clarity and purpose,” Arbour said in a statement announcing the new appointments. “At a time of profound global change, their achievements highlight the strength of Canadians and the values we represent to the world.
“Together, they remind us that building our country’s future is a shared effort that requires ambition and long-term commitment.”
LeBreton is being bestowed the order as an Acadian historian and public servant who has “advanced cultural preservation and regional development in New Brunswick through his leadership at the Village Historique Acadien, Aquarium of New Brunswick and within various departments.”
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“Engaged author and community builder, he has strengthened French-language media, organized major commemorations and served on several boards for years in service to the public,” the governor general’s office added.
LeBreton, born in Caraquet, served early in his career as a historian and chief curator of the Acadian Historical Village in the 1970s, after being part of the team that created the open-air museum that brings to life the day-to-day existence of Acadian families from 1770 to 1949.
In 1982, he became director of the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre and a history professor at the Université de Moncton Shippagan campus.
He left in the 1990s to join the New Brunswick public service, becoming assistant deputy minister at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, a position he held until 2007.
He then served as assistant deputy minister of northern development and assistant deputy minister of Tourism and Parks.
He has also chaired the board of directors of French-language newspaper L’Acadie Nouvelle, was a member of the CBC board of directors, and was part of the advisory committee on federal judicial appointments for the province of New Brunswick.
LeBreton is also an accomplished author.
In 1992, he published a book about the events that led to the riots in the village of Caraquet in January 1875.
It was republished in 2002 under the title The Acadian Revolt.
He also authored books on Caraquet and the Acadian fishery.
Since its creation in 1967, nearly 8,800 people from all sectors of society have been appointed to or promoted within the Order of Canada.
The 61 new appointments to the Order of Canada include four companions, 19 officers and 38 members. Five appointments represent promotions within the Order.
Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
The appointees will be invited to an investiture ceremony at a later date to receive their insignia.
The new list of investitures also includes four Nova Scotians and one Islander from the Maritimes.
Halifax’s Mayann Francis, who was appointed as Nova Scotia’s first African and 31st lieutenant governor in 2006, Halifax’s Stephanie Nolen, a journalist and author, Dartmouth’s Corinne Sparks, the first Black judge in Nova Scotia, and Halifax’s Gordon Earle, Nova Scotia’s first Black member of Parliament, are all being bestowed the order.
Stanhope Beach’s Danny Murphy, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the lone recipient from Prince Edward Island.
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