Jim Flaherty, Canada’s former finance minister, is dead at 64.
Police, fire and ambulance services were called to his home in Ottawa Thursday afternoon.
A source close to the family told the CBC’s Evan Solomon that Flaherty died of a massive heart attack.
Police outside the building asked reporters to move aside from the door “out of respect” for family members and said they will hold a press conference shortly
Members of Parliament suspended the House of Commons just before the daily question period, around 2:15 p.m. ET, as news of Flaherty’s death made its way through Parliament Hill.
“After consultations among House leaders, there is general agreement the House will now suspend,” Speaker Andrew Scheer told MPs.
Cabinet ministers going into the House declined to comment. Some looked emotional as they passed the usual throng of journalists.
MPs hug, shake hands
Opposition MPs crossed the floor to shake hands with Conservative MPs and offer their condolences. Some hugged each other.
Officials briefed Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who had been scheduled to make a joint statement with the visiting president of Peru.
Flaherty stepped down from cabinet less than a month ago, citing a plan to return eventually to the private sector.
He had spent more than a year publicly battling health problems.
Until he stepped down last month, Flaherty was the only finance minister to serve under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Source CBC news
Photo Financial post
