Just two hours after announcing he’d been diagnosed with leukemia, Liberal Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc was on his feet in question period, cheerfully responding to opposition concerns.

The affable 50 year old says he’s confident his illness won’t get in the way of his work as an MP and cabinet minister.

His robust performance in the House of Commons yesterday, where he’s been filling in all week for a travelling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seemed to underline that optimism.

Earlier in the day, LeBlanc issued a joint statement with his oncologist that he was diagnosed in April with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, following his annual physical.

LeBlanc’s oncologist says CLL must be closely monitored and sometimes treated, but can be controlled.