Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 11/00) - The secret of what future lay ahead for the former Northern area commander is out.

Col. Pierre Leblanc handed over the job of commanding the Canadian Forces Northern Area to Col. Kevin McLeod officially on July 25, at the time humorously noting his future plans were "top secret."

But an announcement in Yellowknifer on Aug. 4 revealed he is going to work for Diavik Diamond Mines in September.

"It's been some time in the making," Leblanc explained. "I've been considering some options and this was the one I'd have to say was the preferred option."

The other options included working for the GNWT or as a consultant to the military on pan-Arctic security issues.

Leblanc's accomplishments during his tenure include bringing attention from National Defence's Ottawa headquarters on how cutbacks are harming the Northern operation. As a result, a study is under way to determine what resources are needed in the North.

By working in a Northern industry, he said he's excited to be entering another dimension of society.

"I feel a little like Wayne Gretzky, leaving the military while I can still score," he joked, but added seriously, "I'm hoping to be able to advise the government from time to time on security issues.

"There is a new commander in place and I'm sure he'll continue running with the ball."

Leblanc is filling the position of program executive, a position he will design largely as he goes along. He will, however, be overseeing the production of diamond-sorting facilities in Yellowknife and play a large role in the still-developing company's expeditionary ventures, such as establishing mines in isolated areas.

"I've always encouraged venues and ventures that would create our own wealth in the North," he said. "Diavik is a company that will do that."

He added that he's always considered himself somewhat of an environmentalist and is comfortable in this industry, because he considers it cleaner than other types of mining.

"In the military my career was going to end at age 55 one way or the other," Leblanc said. "Making the jump now is timely in the sense that the opportunities are right."