Simcoe-Grey MP, Dr. Kellie Leitch, has set up a book of condolences on her website for the late Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Minister of Finance who died on April 10.
In a statement from her office, Leitch credited Flaherty with her entrance into politics. “Jim encouraged me to get involved in politics and was the most dedicated mentor that a person could ask for… He was my champion.”
Leitch, who lives in the same Ottawa condominium building as Flaherty did, attempted to resuscitate him from the heart attack that killed him. Both Leitch and Flaherty also have properties in the Creemore area.
In a tribute to Flaherty in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Leitch, who is also the Minister of Labour and Status of Women, said: “For me, I can speak to him being my champion on two specific occasions. I was at a conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico of all places in 2006. He was a newly minted Finance Minister. He called me and asked me if I would chair a panel on the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. He said to me that they needed some health expertise, and that did not exist at Finance Canada. He wanted someone from the health care profession.
“The opportunity that he granted me in doing that, a young Canadian, a Canadian who was but 35 years of age, was that I had my first experience of the development of excellent public policy. I could take my professional background and apply it to public policy, and millions of Canadians became the beneficiary.”
She went on to explain how Flaherty’s persistence led to her decision to run for office, which was, she admitted, “not something I was wont to do.”
Flaherty held the federal Finance post since 2003, but retired in March to return to the private sector after experiencing health issues. To sign Leitch’s book of condolences, visit www.kellieleitchmp.com