ABOVE: Friends, family, and well-wishers stop by to pay their respects to the former Finance Minister. Mark Carcasole reports.
WHITBY, Ont. – Mourners are gathering east of Toronto to pay tribute to Jim Flaherty.
Two Mounties in ceremonial dress flanked Flaherty’s casket as dignitaries began filing into the Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ont., for the visitation today.
First among them was Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was also among the VIPs greeting Flaherty’s widow and three children.
The former federal finance minister and his wife, provincial Tory legislature member Christine Elliott, were supporters of the centre, located in Flaherty’s riding.
Details for Jim Flaherty state funeral
A state funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau plan to attend, along with several members of the Conservative cabinet.
READ MORE: Political career highlights of Jim Flaherty
Flaherty died suddenly at age 64 last Thursday of a suspected heart attack, less than a month after he resigned from cabinet.
READ MORE: Jim Flaherty passes away at 64
Flags have been flying at half-mast on Parliament Hill and Canadians can sign an online book of condolences.
Comments