Speaker of Canada Senate Pierre Claude Nolin dies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-32452817

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Pierre Claude Nolin, the Speaker of the Senate in Canada, has died at the age of 64, after a long battle with cancer.

Involved in politics since his teenage years, Mr Nolin, a lawyer by training, was appointed to the Senate in 1993 and became Speaker late last year.

Mr Nolin had spoken publicly about the rare form of cancer that he was diagnosed with five years ago, the CBC reports.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.

Mr Nolin was remembered by the Canadian prime minister as an "affable and cultured man" who "never lost track of the higher interests of his fellow citizens".

Senator Claude Carignan, a fellow conservative and the leader of the government in the senate, said: "He will be remembered by each and every one of his Senate colleagues for his integrity, knowledge, wisdom and determination."

Mr Nolin is survived by his wife, Camille, and three children, Mr Carignan's statement said.