OTTAWA – James Flaherty has passed away. The former Minister of Finance who just resigned as Minister in the Harper Government died today.
The former finance Minister died this afternoon in his condo in Ottawa.
Mr. Flaherty just finished delivering his last budget and then stepped down as Minister of Finance.
Flaherty was a third term Member of Parliament for Whitby-Oshawa (Ontario), first elected in 2006.
Until March 2014 he served as Canada’s Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area. Additionally he served as a Governor of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. As Minister of Finance, he also was an ex-officio member of all Cabinet Committees.
To date he was the longest serving Minister of Finance for Canada.
Previously, from 1995 to 2005, Jim served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby – Ajax. In Ontario, he served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Attorney General and Minister of Labour.
He graduated from Princeton University cum laude and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Bar in Ontario with honours and practised law for more than twenty years before being elected to public office.
Mr. Flaherty’s wife, Christine Elliot is a member of the Ontario Legislature.
Statement from Thunder Bay Rainy River MP
Thunder Bay – Rainy River Member of Parliament John Rafferty issued the following statement today on the passing of former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty:
“I am very saddened to hear of the passing of former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Though we didn’t always agree on politics and policy there is no denying that Jim was a good Canadian who devoted his life to public service. My heart today goes out to his family and friends who should have had more time with him upon his well-earned retirement. On behalf of the people of Thunder Bay – Rainy River I’d like to thank Jim and his family for their contribution to Canada. RIP.”