Vicki L MorrisonA memorial service for the late Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker of the Senate, took place today at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montréal, Quebec.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Mrs. Laureen Harper were in attendance. Upon Nolin’s death, the prime minister issued a statement.
“Laureen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senate Speaker Pierre Claude Nolin. Speaker Nolin was a strong and clear voice dedicated to serving Quebecers and all Canadians, and he did so as a member of the Upper Chamber for over 21 years. Throughout a long public career, Senator Nolin never lost track of the higher interests of his fellow citizens,” said Harper.
Nolin, 64 passed away last week after a five-year battle with a rare form of cancer and not long after the upper chamber had said his health had recently taken an abrupt turn.
A strong supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces, Senator Nolin was a member of the Cercle des Honoraires of the Régiment de Maisonneuve since 1995, becoming an honorary lieutenant-colonel of the regiment in 2012.
During his time in the Senate, Nolin contributed to numerous committees covering a broad range of issues, including legal and constitutional affairs, foreign affairs and international trade, national security and defence, and banking, trade and commerce. After having been unanimously elected Speaker pro tempore of the Senate in 2013, he was appointed Speaker of the Senate in 2014.
He was also named a Commander of the Order of Saint Lazarus in 2014. Nolin was a strong advocate of fundamental rights and worked throughout his career to ensure that persons from all walks of life were afforded the opportunity to voice their views in Quebec and Canadian society.
On behalf of all Canadians, Harper expressed sincere condolences to Nolin’s wife, Camille, to his three children, Simon, Louis and Virginie, and to his grandchildren, as well as to his entire family, friends and colleagues.
“He is now part of that small group of persons whose life and example have enhanced the institution they served while contributing to the common good. His distinguished service to the Upper Chamber and to our country will be remembered and honoured,” said Harper.
Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment is based in Hull, Quebec near Ottawa. Active in all aspects of the day-to-day life of Outaouais residents, the unit is the only francophone military presence in the area.
Currently, it is organized into three distinct squadrons. Commandement et Services Squadron is made up of the logistical and administrative support staff, C Squadron is a training squadron put in place to train new recruits and help integrate them into the profession of arms and, finally, D Squadron is the reconnaissance squadron, to which most of the members of the unit belong.
