Leefe is a former member of the Reserve Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. He also has connections to the Canadian military through his family as well. His father and grandfather served in the First and Second World Wars and his uncle, John Spenser Leefe, is a former Commanding Officer of the West Nova Scotia Regiment.
In addition to being in the reserve, Leefe served for 21 years as a Member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly. He has also held several cabinet appointments. Leefe, who continues to actively promote the West Nova Scotia Regiment at local events, is serving as Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality and maintains a position on the Board of Governors of the University of King’s College, as well as the Board of Directors for the Union Nova Scotia Municipalities.
“Given Mr. Leefe’s proven community leadership and valued history with the West Nova Scotia Regiment, it is my pleasure to announce his appointment as the unit’s Honourary Colonel,” said Minister Peter MacKay. “He is a well-known, highly respected former Reservist who has enthusiastically promoted the Canadian Forces and the Regiment.”
"What a tremendous and humbling honour”, said Leefe. “The West Nova Scotia Regiment is rooted deeply in Nova Scotia's soil. It was in the first draft to sail to England in 1939 to face the fascist juggernaut and the modern regiment has dispatched members to such challenging theatres as Bosnia and Afghanistan. I will strive to live the regiment's motto Semper Fidelis as have all those who have gone before and as do all those who serve today."
Semper Fidelis translates to Always Loyal.
Honourary Colonels are normally appointed for a three-year period. They work to assist their units in such areas as traditions, dress, procedures and finances as well as raising the profile of the units in their communities. They play an important role as guardians of the Regimental system and traditions of the unit, as well as being advisors to the Commanding Officer.
