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| - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed "deep sadness" over the death of Britain's Prince Philip on Friday, saying he would be "fondly remembered as a constant in the life of our Queen." "Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others," Trudeau said on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth nation. "The duke always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights," he added. The global Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Trudeau noted, "has helped empower millions of young people from all backgrounds to realize their greatest potential, and is but one example of his contributions to the social fabric of this country and the world." In Ottawa, the Canadian flag atop parliament was lowered to half-staff, while the Peace Tower bell rung 99 times -- reflecting the prince's age. "The thoughts of Canadians are with Queen Elizabeth II and the members of the Royal Family as they mourn such a significant loss," said Trudeau. Philip made nearly 30 official visits to Canada over 70 years. In 1959, he and the Queen toured all 10 provinces from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. The Duke's last private solo working visit was to Toronto in 2013 to present a ceremonial flag to the Royal Canadian Regiment's 3rd Battalion. amc/ft
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