Sen. Josée Forest-Niesing, 56, dies following struggle with COVID-19 – CBC

Ontario senator had autoimmune condition affecting her lungs, her office said Tuesday

Nov 20, 2021

Sen. Josée Forest-Niesing, 56, has died, after being discharged from hospital this week following treatment for COVID-19.

Forest-Niesing, of Sudbury, Ont., was released from hospital on Nov. 14, after being admitted in October. Her office said Tuesday she had struggled for 15 years with an autoimmune disease affecting her lungs.

The Ontario senator was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but her office said her condition made her more vulnerable to the virus.

George Furey, the Speaker of the Senate, confirmed the news in an email to senators and staff on Saturday.

“Senator Forest-Niesing contributed to her community as a member and chair of numerous boards of directors, and she will be remembered as an ardent and passionate defender of access to justice in both official languages,” Furey said.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ontario-senator-dies-covid-19-1.6256976