CTV reports paramedics were called to Flaherty’s residence shortly after noon Thursday.
Flaherty’s wife, MPP Christine Elliott, and the couple’s sons John, Galen and Quinn issued a family statement asking for privacy and that Flaherty died “peacefully.”
“We appreciate that he was so well supported in his public life by Canadians from coast to coast to coast and by his international colleagues,” the statement read,
According to the CBC, Thursday’s session of the House of Commons was ended early today, at around 2:15 p.m., in respect for Flaherty’s family.
Opposition MPs in the House of Commons reportedly crossed the floor and shook hands with their Conservative counterparts, and many looked shocked or shaken.
“Catherine and I want to express to Christine Elliott our profound sadness at the departure of our friend Jim Flaherty,” said Thomas Mulcair, leader of the NDP. “We share in their loss. We’re very, very sorry for their loss. Jim Flaherty was an extraordinarily dedicated public servant,”
Jim Flaherty became federal finance minister in 2006. He kept the job until he resigned a few weeks ago, despite battling a rare skin disease that had him on steroids.
Flaherty had plans to return to the private sector following his resignation.
