and, a year later, was appointed Speaker of the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper effective November 27, 2014, as a result of the retirement of his predecessor, Noël Kinsella. Illness and death Nolin was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2010. He died on April 23, 2015 at the age of 64, leaving the Canadian Senate in midst of crisis. Nolin's funeral was held in Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica. Senator Leo Housakos would continue in the role as acting Speaker of the Senate until a new person is appointed. On May 4, 2015, Housakos was appointed as Pierre Claude Nolin's successor permanently. References External links 1950 births 2015 deaths Canadian senators from Quebec Conservative Party of Canada senators Politicians from Montreal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada senators Speakers of the Senate of Canada University of Ottawa alumni 21st-century Canadian politicians