Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Jim Carr dies
Liberal MP for Winnipeg South Centre Jim Carr is being remembered as a dedicated representative and a bridge builder. The former cabinet minister died Monday at the age of 71, after a years-long battle with cancer.
Carr's death was announced in the House of Commons by a fellow Winnipeg MP, Kevin Lamoureux. "We all know Jim's passion for his country," he said.
The sombre news was met with gasps in the chamber, followed by a moment of silence. The House of Commons then adjourned for the day.
In a statement that came shortly after, his family said that Carr "passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family and loved ones." Carr was a husband, father, and grandfather.
First elected in 2015, Carr was into his third term as MP, while also battling multiple myeloma and kidney failure since 2019. As part of his treatment, Carr received dialysis, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant.
"Over the past three years, he fought these diseases bravely and courageously with the incredible support of his staff, colleagues, and loved ones," said his family, thanking the doctors, nurses and medical staff for their care.
Between 2015 and 2019, Carr held the roles of natural resources minister, minister of international trade diversification, and as the special representative for the Prairies.
Following his diagnosis, Carr stepped back from cabinet, before returning as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Special Representative for the Prairies, with Trudeau at the time saying he was glad to have Carr back around the table, and to see him healthy.
He held this role—first given to him after the 2019 federal election saw the Liberals entirely wiped out of Saskatchewan and Alberta as a way to still have Liberal cabinet representation from the region—until Trudeau reconfigured his cabinet following the 2021 federal election.
"Right up until the very end of his remarkable life, he was fighting for Winnipeggers, Manitobans and Canadians," his family said in the statement. "As a dedicated elected official, business, and community leader in Manitoba for over 30 years, Jim was loved and respected by so many and we know he will be profoundly missed."
Carr was last in the Commons last week, where he oversaw the House passage of his private member’s bill, Bill C-235, Building a Green Prairie Economy. His family said focusing on this legislation and his cross-party effort "filled him with energy and kept his spirits high."
Reflecting on this, Deputy Speaker Chris D'Entremont said: "It just shows up how quickly things can change in our lives," passing on his condolences to his family, friends, and constituents.
In his final speech in the House of Commons : "I love this country, every square metre of it, in English, in French, in Indigenous languages and in the languages of the newly arrived," before going on to share some broader reflections about the state of democracy and his respect for Parliament.
Prior to politics, Carr began his career with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as an oboist, before working as a local journalist and columnist. He entered public life in 1988 when he was elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly to represent Fort Rouge. Carr then went on to become the founding CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba. He was also the founding co-chair of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council.
His family said that his constituency office will remain open to continue serving the riding, until a new member of Parliament is elected.
On election night in 2021, Carr told CTV News Winnipeg that he was "very grateful" that his constituents had showed confidence in him serving them "a little while longer."
'HE DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THIS COUNTRY'
Condolences and expressions of sympathy quickly streamed in on Monday, both in Ottawa and from his home province.
Speaking with reporters outside of the Prime Minister's office, an emotional Trudeau said that that Carr's legacy "will be one of service, one of thoughtful leadership, one of deep and abiding passion for this country and for its people, along with a real commitment to thoughtful solutions that bring people together."
"I knew he'd been sick for awhile but you can't be ready for these kinds of moments," said Trudeau.
"He will be forever missed, Trudeau said. , the prime minister said that many had lost "a close friend," and that his commitment to the Prairies was "second to none."
Colleague and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc spoke to reporters in Ottawa on Monday afternoon, reflecting on the "sad bond" they had as both having recent experience battling forms of blood cancer and all of the health and personal challenges that brought.
"I remember I was still in the hospital recovering from my own stem cell transplant when I saw the news that the day after the election … he, too, was admitted to hospital," LeBlanc said. "He and I over the last year spoke of our shared experiences going through these similar but different medical treatments. So obviously for me it's quite painful to think that somebody who was in a similar struggle to mine passed away today."
"He devoted his life to his country," said Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez on his way in to West Block, ahead of the day's proceedings, halting out of respect for Carr's memory. "He’s going to be missed. I loved the guy."
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly reflected on first meeting Carr on their way to the 2015 Rideau Hall swearing-in ceremony, saying the pair clicked right away.
"Jim was a bridge builder. He was a man that believed in the positive change that politics can bring," she said.
"Horrible news," said Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal, who is also the minister responsible for economic development in the Prairies. "We’re going to miss him so much. It’s a sad day for Canada. My condolences to his family."
On social media, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, with "a heavy heart," offered her condolences.
"Over the years Jim and I worked on many projects together. I always admired his unfailing commitment,"
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carr was "an honourable and kind man," in
"As a neighbouring MP, I know how dedicated Jim was to serving his constituents," said Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan . "My love and condolences go out to his family, friends, staff and colleagues. May he rest in peace."
IN DEPTH
Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power.
'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold
Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
NEW Health data collected from Indigenous Peoples in Canada has a dark history. One Indigenous company is turning that around
Software company Mustimuhw Information, which develops medical records systems built on a foundation of Indigenous traditions and values, is allowing health providers to capture data informed by cultural practices.
Hezbollah handed out pagers hours before blasts, even after checks: Reuters
Lebanon's Hezbollah was still handing its members new Gold Apollo branded pagers hours before thousands blew up this week, two security sources said, indicating the group was confident the devices were safe despite an ongoing sweep of electronic kit to identify threats.
Cognitive decline reduced by MIND diet, especially for women and Black people, study finds
Following the MIND diet for 10 years produced a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration and memory problems, a new study found.
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Federal firearm buyback program has cost $67M, still not collecting guns after 4 years
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
No, these viral purple apples don't exist in Saskatchewan
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.
Local Spotlight
They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
A Good Samaritan in New Brunswick has replaced a man's stolen bottle cart so he can continue to collect cans and bottles in his Moncton neighbourhood.
David Krumholtz, known for roles like Bernard the Elf in The Santa Clause and physicist Isidor Rabi in Oppenheimer, has spent the latter part of his summer filming horror flick Altar in Winnipeg. He says Winnipeg is the most movie-savvy town he's ever been in.
Edmontonians can count themselves lucky to ever see one tiger salamander, let alone the thousands one local woman says recently descended on her childhood home.
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.