Quebec government to pay tribute to late sportscaster Garneau

Richard Garneau, veteran Quebec sports journalist, has died at age 82.

QUEBEC - The Quebec government is set to pay tribute to award-winning sportscaster Richard Garneau, who died last weekend.

The Radio-Canada television personality and longtime voice of the Montreal Canadiens was 82.

Premier Pauline Marois' office has announced in a statement there will be a "national commemorative ceremony" for Garneau's funeral.

That means the flag will be lowered to half-mast atop the Quebec legislature. The premier's office says more details will be released soon.

In a statement, Marois calls him "one of the most brilliant sports commentators of his era" and "a model for the generations inspired by him."

Garneau spent 23 years on the French-language CBC's version of "Hockey Night In Canada," in addition to working as a sports reporter since joining the network in 1957.