Flaherty remembered in the Commons

It was not business as usual on Parliament Hill today.

MPs set aside the normal daily question period to pay tribute to Jim Flaherty. He died at his Ottawa condo yesterday, less than a month after stepping down as finance minister.

Flaherty, 64, was being treated for a rare and painful skin condition. It’s believed he had a heart attack.

In the House of Commons this morning there were kind words, laughs and tears from MPs of all party stripes.

Conservative Kellie Leitch: “He reached out across Canada, across business and labour divides to seek consensus and advance fairness, something I hope to emulate in my time in public service. I know no one who expresses that more than Jim Flaherty.”

New Democrat Peter Julian: “Jim Flaherty’s friendly and engaging demeanor, even in the health challenges that we saw, his great strength of character. He always always affable, always friendly in the members’ gym, in the elevator.”

Liberal Scott Brison: “Jim’s locker was near mine in the men’s changing area. We would often chat there about policy and issues of the day, and we would enjoy a few laughs. Mind you Jim’s Irish sense of humour was tested by me from time to time.”

“Later in the day I would meet him somewhere and he would be surrounded my caucus and cabinet colleagues. And I would say, Jim Flaherty’s the first man I see naked every morning.”

Flaherty stepped down as Canada’s finance minister just three weeks ago and was expected to assume a high-profile role in the private sector.