Tributes flow in for former finance minister Jim Flaherty – ‘a terrible loss for our country’

NEWS — Tributes have begun coming in for former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty, who died today in his Ottawa home.

The cause of death was not immediately known, though Flaherty was known to have had some health problems. However, at the time of his retirement a few weeks ago, he said health was not a factor.

The House of Commons immediately suspended its sitting when word came of Flaherty’s passing.

“Today is a very sad day for me, our government and for all of our country,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a news conference.

“This comes as an unexpected and a terrible shock.

“Jim will be sorely missed, not only by his many friends on both sides of the House…. He will also be missed by the countless thousands of Canadians who he helped through his years in public life.”

Premier Christy Clark said she was “shocked and saddened” at Flaherty’s death.

“This is a terrible loss for our country. Jim was a great leader and Canadian,” said Clark.

“He served with distinction in both provincial and federal politics, and made a difference in both. Under his watch, Canada returned to stability and balanced budgets.

“And while his achievements in Toronto and Ottawa will stand the test of time, perhaps his most important legacy was as a family man. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Christine and their three sons.”

Flaherty was 64. A statement from his wife and family said: “Christine Elliott and her triplet sons, John, Galen and Quinn would like to make Canadians aware that her beloved husband and father passed away peacefully today in Ottawa.

“We appreciate that he was so well supported in his public life by Canadians from coast to coast to coast and by his international colleagues.”