Leo Housakos acting Senate Speaker after Pierre Claude Nolin's death

SenatorLeoHousakos, who filled in as Senate Speaker as the man appointed to do the job battled a rare form of cancer, will continue in the role until a new person is appointed.

Senate Speaker Pierre ClaudeNolin died Thursday at the age of 64.His colleagues say even in his dying days, Nolin continued to work discussing how to improve security on Parliament Hill and making sure the Senate, whichhas been marred by scandal, became more accountable andtransparent.

"I carried the baton for him, but be rest assuredhe was cognizant up until the last few days. Through him and his staff we executed his wishes,"Housakossaid.

"Even in his weakest moment yesterday afternoon, his main concern was were we carrying forward in doing what we needed to do. That's just indicative of his commitment to the institution and touching."

Our colleagues will come together and show solidarity behind the principles that Mr.Nolinput forward.-SenatorLeoHousakos

Housakos said he appreciated Nolin's vision for the Senate and the need for senators to hold themselves to a "high account." He added that he believes the Senate "has been very rigid when it comes to making sure rules are followed."

"We reviewed a number of senators, which were suspended not too long ago. You can't be any more rigid than that,"Housakossaid. "I think in the weeks and months and years ahead, we will continue to becognizant that we are accountable to the people of this country."

Nolinwas appointed to the role of Speaker at the end of 2014, after 21 years as a senator.As speakerprotempore, Housakoshas performed the Speaker's duties in the upper chamber since Nolin's healthgrew worse in mid-March.

The Prime Minister's Office said Housakos will continue to act as Speaker pro tempore until a new Speaker is named. The Senate is scheduled to sit until the end of June.

Housakos was appointed to the Senate by PrimeMinister StephenHarper in December2008.

"All I know is that our colleagues will come together and show solidarity behind the principles that Mr. Nolin put forward," Housakos said.

"We will continue to work, to carry on his wish."

Late Friday,Nolin'sfuneralarrangements were announced:

• He will lie in repose in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Members of the public are invited to pay their respects as of noonTuesday.
• A book of condolence will be available in the Senate Foyer from Tuesday through Thursday.
• Nolin'sfuneral will be held on Thursday inMontreal'sNotre-Dame Basilicaat 2:00 p.m.

Stephen Harper on death of Senate Speaker

9 years ago

Duration 1:02

Pierre Claude Nolin served with distinction in the Senate, defending the interests of Quebeckers and the Canadian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday.

Conservative majority in Senate

Nolin's death brings the number of vacancies in the Senate up to 20 as a federal election approaches.

The Conservatives have a comfortable majority in the Senate, with 51 seats. There are 29 Liberals in the Senate and five independents.

No new senators have been appointed in more than two years and the prime minister is facing a lawsuit in Federal Court over the empty seats.

The suspension ofMike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and PamelaWallin amid expense scandalsleaves three more empty seats. One vacancy was caused when former senatorMacHarbstepped down amid his own expense scandal.

Brazeau and Harbface criminal charges, while Duffy is in the midst of a high-profile trial in Ottawa.

The federal auditor general is in the process of reviewingall senators' expenses,poring over claims related mostly to travel and housing.

Harper has indicated he does not intend to nameunelected senatorsas he pushes for reform, but his government's plans to make significant changes to the Senate werederailed last year when theSupreme Court ruledthe federal government does not have the power to do so without the support of the provinces.

Lawyer AnizAlaniargued his casein Federal Court in Vancouveron Thursday in an effort to push the issue, pointing out thatSection 32 of the Constitution Act gives theGovernor General the legalpower to appoint senators.

Still,aprime minister, by convention,chooses senators while agovernor general approves the appointments.

The federal government's lawyer argued that the court has no jurisdiction in the political appointment of senators.A decision has not yet been made in the case.

Peter Van Loan honours Pierre Claude Nolin

9 years ago

Duration 1:42

The leader of the government in the House of Commons honoured the Senate Speaker, who died today.