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Remembering Jim Flaherty beyond politics

The shock was palpable on Parliament Hill yesterday as word got out that former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had died suddenly. Today, his colleagues and Canadians are remembering him for his role in public service, and the man he was off the political stage....
CBC Radio ·
The shock was palpable on Parliament Hill yesterday as word got out that former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had died suddenly. Today, his colleagues and Canadians are remembering him for his role in public service, and the man he was off the political stage.


Flaherty-obit-560.jpg

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (R) and his wife Laureen take part in a news conference following the
news of former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's death on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, April 10, 2014. (Reuters/Blair Gable)

Jim will be sorely missed not only by his many friends on both sides of the house but by the countless thousands of Canadians that he devoted himself to and whom he helped during his long and successful career in public life.Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Many people were shocked yesterday at the news that Jim Flaherty had died suddenly at the age of 64, less than a month after stepping down as the only Finance Minister Prime Minister Stephen Harper had ever had.


He was demanding - worked very hard and expected others to do the same. In return he made sure he looked after his people. I'll never forget, I had my 50th birthday party in Ottawa back in March. And he made sure that he was there to make sure he helped celebrate my 50th birthday. This was a man suffering physically and had a lot on his plate but still took the time to come and wish me a happy birthday. Jim will be remembered very fondly by all of us. MP Andrew Saxton was the last Parliamentary Secretary to work with Jim Flaherty.

As Finance minister Jim Flaherty steered Canada through the worst global economic meltdown since the Great Depression. Before that, he served in the Ontario legislature, rising to Finance Minister under Premier Mike Harris. For the last year, Mr. Flaherty had been fighting a skin condition for which he was being treated but there was no indication of more serious health problems. He is thought to have died of heart attack.


John Tory knew Jim Flaherty both in and out of politics. He is the former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party and is currently running to be the mayor of Toronto. John Tory was in our Toronto studio.


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This segment was produced by The Current's Howard Goldenthal.


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