OTTAWA - Quebec Sen. Pierre Claude Nolin has been named the new Speaker of the Senate.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement in a statement acknowledging the contributions of Nolin's predecessor, Noel Kinsella, whose last day as Speaker was Wednesday.
Harper congratulated Kinsella for presiding over the upper chamber with "aplomb and dignity," and for setting a tone that brought out the best in his fellow senators.
And he welcomed Nolin, appointed to the Senate by Brian Mulroney in 1993, with the hope he would foster transparency, accountability and democratic values.
The New Brunswick-born Kinsella, also a Mulroney appointee, was named to the Senate in 1990 and became Speaker in 2006.
"I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Sen. Kinsella for his remarkable work, and for the compassion and intellect which he used to raise his office," Harper said.
"I thank him as well for his tireless parliamentary service to Canadians and for representing New Brunswickers and Acadians so well. He will be remembered and honoured and I wish him every success in all his future endeavours."
Of Nolin, Harper said he "has represented Quebecers and Canadians in the upper chamber with honour for over 21 years.
"I am confident he will succeed in his new role and work to make this institution more transparent, democratic and accountable."