Saint John-area MLA Jim Parrott underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

"I was asked by Dr. Parrott's wife to inform members of the legislature that he had completed his surgery," Health Minister Ted Flemming said in a statement at 5:30 p.m.

"But I can't comment further on his condition."

Parrott, a retired heart surgeon and former head of the New Brunswick Heart Centre, was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative caucus in September after criticizing his government over health issues.

The controversial backbencher had recently spoken out about bilingualism and duality, and written a newspaper commentary about a lack of consultation with physicians.

He had also broken ranks with the Alward government in a February newspaper commentary about plans to use only 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging machines to equip five regional hospitals.

The unanimous vote to oust Parrott from caucus was based on a recommendation by Premier David Alward.

"For the importance of our parliamentary system to work, there needs to be a level of trust and confidence in each member" to allow for dialogue and debate, Alward had said. "And I'm very disappointed to say that the member has broken that trust."

Parrott is still the MLA for the Fundy-River Valley, but sits as an independent.

The father of two and grandfather of four was elected in the 2010 provincial election.