Dominic LeBlanc makes 1st public appearance in months since non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis

Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc, who stepped back from his cabinet duties earlier this yearto focus on his non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment,made his first public appearance in months this morning, telling reporters he intends to be in "fighting form" on the campaign trail this fall.

The longtime New Brunswick MP said his treatments for the cancer, which affects the lymphatic system, are going well.

"I have successfully completed five chemotherapy treatments," he said inMoncton. "The doctors at the Georges Dumont Hospital are very, very encouraged by the results, very positive."

He was also forced to respond, for the first time in person, about the controversial flight he tookon a private aircraft owned by J.D. Irving to undergo cancer treatments in Montreal. The Irving family is tied to the shipbuilding, oil, forestry and agriculture industries.

The flight, first reported by the Globe and Mail, took place on June 13, according to a filing on the ethics commissioner's website.

LeBlancreiterated to reporters on Wednesdaythat he cleared the flight with the ethics commissioner.

"Theparticular treatment that the doctors at the Georges Dumont hospital are pursuing in my case, which would constitute a cure, those particular treatments are not offered in New Brunswick and New Brunswick patients are referred in most cases to Quebec or to Nova Scotia," he said."In my case the doctors referred me to Montreal.

"I can't speak to what other patients do."

Democracy Watch, an organization that advocates for greater government accountability, has arguedEthics Commissioner Mario Dion erred in preapproving LeBlanc's private trip aboard an Irving plane.

"The ethics commissioner acted like an unethical lapdog by approving this unethical gift of a flight," co-founder Duff Conacher said last month.

Leblanc plans to be in ' fighting form'

LeBlancset up a conflict of interest screen with the ethics commissioner's office, after he was appointed to cabinet in 2015, that bars him from taking part in decisions that directly affect James D. Irving and his companies.

TheBeausjourMP served as minister of intergovernmental affairs and northern affairsbefore stepping aside in April for treatment.

Watch:LeBlanc 1st appearance in months after cancer battle

Liberal MP LeBlanc 1st appearance in months after cancer battle

5 years ago

Duration 0:59

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc spoke about his use of a private plane - owned by the the J.D. Irving company - to get to his cancer treatments in June during his first public appearance in Moncton after stepping away for treatment for his non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year.

"I intend to be in fighting form for the election this fall and look forward very much to the campaign," said LeBlanc, following a fundingannouncement at theGreaterMonctonRomoLeBlancInternational Airport, named after his father.

LeBlanc was diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma in 2017, when he was fisheries minister. Last October, LeBlanc announced that cancer was in remission.

Finance Minister Bill Morneauhas temporarily taken over responsibility for intergovernmental affairs, while Carolyn Bennett, the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations,tookover LeBlanc'sduties for northern affairs.