[View the story "Reaction to the death of Jim Flaherty: 1949-2014" on Storify ]Reaction to the death of Jim Flaherty: 1949-2014 From both sides of the House of Commons, politicians of all stripes expressed their sentiments of respect after hearing news of the death of former Conservative finance minister Jim Flaherty on April 10, 2014. Storified by CTVNews.ca · Thu, Apr 10 2014 14:05:14
From his fellow Conservatives:
My thoughts and prayers to the famiily of my dear friend Jim Flaherty. You will be sorely missed. http://t.co/kmISRJrj0pJulian Fantino
I am shocked & very saddened to learn that Jim Flaherty passed away. He was an honourable, dedicated & exceptional man who loved Canada.Joe Oliver
You did so much for our country.Michelle Rempel
Tears in the air.Michelle Rempel
Still can't quite believe that Jim Flaherty has left us. The lyrical Irish spirit, gritty & gregarious, the fighter, the loyal friend. RIP.Jason Kenney
Jim's passion for public service never wavered. He will be remembered as a man that steered our nation through some of its difficult days.John Baird
Jim was a mentor to me at Queen's Park. I could rely on Jim to be a devout friend through tough times and an encouraging figure through goodJohn Baird
Just crushed at the loss of my colleague and friend @JimFlaherty. We spent 25 years together in public life. An Irish lion is gone.Tony Clement
I will miss him. He was a mentor and a friend.Rona Ambrose
We have suspended the House to mourn the shocking and deep loss of Jim Flaherty. All sides of the House join together consoling each other.Joan Crockatt MP
Words can't express the saddness today.We keep our memories of that kind and gentle man, Jim, who never let politics interrupt his humanity.Bruce Stanton, MP
Jim Flaherty - one of Canada's most gracious and good-humored leaders, who was our guest in one of our riding's largest town halls ever. JWJohn Weston, MP
is shocked to hear of the sudden passing of the Honourable Jim Flaherty. I have a heavy heart and my thoughts are with the family.Brent Rathgeber, MP
Deeply shocked at the passing for @JimFlaherty.Have great and found memories. Will miss sharing Irish scotch with him in my office #cdnpoliDeepak Obhrai
Jim Flaherty used to make jokes about his height all the time, in truth he was the smallest giant I have ever... http://t.co/aZMVchOXjyDean Del Mastro
From the NDP:
Catherine and I offer our most sincere condolences to Jim Flaherty's loved ones and colleagues in this difficult time.http://t.co/9YAHma1Sq3Thomas Mulcair
You know we all scrap like hell in #HoC but time like this we grieve together the terrible loss of Jim FlahertyLibby Davies
Very sad news today. My condolences to Jim Flaherty's family and friends. #cdnpoliNycole Turmel
My heart goes out to the family of Jim Flaherty, & all my Conservative colleagues. Know there is love & support around you.Megan Leslie, MP
My deepest sympathies to Christine Elliott and her sons on the death of her husband and their father Jim Flaherty #cdnpoliPaul Dewar
Très attristé par la nouvelle du décès de Jim Flaherty. Mes pensée vont aux proches...Pierre-Luc Dusseault
On my 1st day in the House, Jim Flaherty crossed the floor to ask me if I was part of the McGill4. I laughed, said no, we chatted. Sad loss.Hoang Mai
From the Liberals:
Like all Canadians, I join in expressing my sadness at Jim Flaherty’s passing. My sincere condolences to @chriselliottpc and his children.Justin Trudeau, MP
Deeply saddened to hear that Jim Flaherty has died - he was a tenacious, effective and dedicated politician who reached across the aisle.Bob Rae
Jim Flaherty had a marvelous, mischievous and self-deprecating sense of humour. My condolences to his family, friends & colleagues. R.I.P.Geoff Regan
Very sad on passing of Jim Flaherty. We didn't always agree but got on well - he once called me "endangered species" as only Lib MP in 905!John McCallum
Flaherty's best act as fin min: in depth of economic crisis, he forgot ideology and ran big stimulative deficits for the good of the countryJohn McCallum
Jim Flaherty's death is a great loss to our nation. Condolences to his family and to his #CPC colleagues. #cdnpoliDr. Hedy Fry
From the Greens:
We are waiting in the Reading Room for the PM's statement. Shared grief at the loss of a friend, a respected colleague, husband and father.Elizabeth May MP
From Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who was a close friend of Flaherty.
Devastated to hear news of my friend Jim Flaherty passing. My prayers go out to Christine Elliot & family. The Ford family is heart brokenMayor Rob Ford
Many people today were sharing Flaherty's last tweet which he sent out on March 18, 2014, after stepping down as Canada's finance minister:
It has been an honour to serve Canada. Thank you for the opportunity. http://t.co/vIbBNgT0wYJim Flaherty
And also making the rounds today, this photo that the NASDAQ shared on March 28 when Flaherty stepped down as minister of finance:
On March 28, the NASDAQ ran this billboard free of charge in Times Square, NYC #cdnpoli http://t.co/uoPlx3fRheRichard Madan
And finally, remarks
from Mark Carney (former Bank of Canada governor and current Governor of the Bank of England):
“From his sound management of
the Canadian economy to his invaluable contributions to international policy
making, Jim Flaherty has exhibited the very best of Canadian virtues in service
to our country.
Jim Flaherty played a central
role when the G20 came of age in Washington in 2008, and when it forged its
greatest contributions in London 2009 and Toronto 2010. He was a true
believer in multilateralism, leading, urging, cajoling the members around the
table to pursue policies that would promote strong, sustainable and balanced
growth for all.
He was a man of principle who
believed in fixing banks when they were broken, sound money and balanced
budgets.
I had the privilege of
working with Jim Flaherty for the better part of eight years. He was an
enormous influence on global policy and on me personally. I know many
colleagues will feel his loss and I will miss him tremendously.
Il a donné tout pour son pays
et l’économie mondiale. Un homme de principe qui aimait rire et
débattre. Il a gagné plus souvent qu’il a perdu et il a donné beaucoup
plus qu’il a reçu.”
