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WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Erik Nielsen, a former deputy prime minister in Brian Mulroney's Conservative government and elder brother of comic Leslie Nielsen, has died at his home in Kelowna at age 84.
Dubbed “Yukon Erik,” the longest-serving MP in the territory is being remembered for working passionately for his constituents during 30 years in politics.
His son, Rick Nielsen, says his father died suddenly after a massive heart attack Thursday.
Mr. Nielsen won the Yukon's Progressive Conservative nomination in 1957 and never lost an election, holding his seat until resigning in 1987.
Between 1984 and 1986, he was second-in-command to Mr. Mulroney.
But a falling out with the way Mr. Mulroney managed the government prompted Mr. Nielsen to write his autobiography This House is Not a Home.
