Manitoba MP and former cabinet minister Jim Carr has died after a battle with cancer.
The news was announced in the House of Commons Monday.
Carr, who had represented Winnipeg South Centre since 2015, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma during the 2019 federal election campaign and battled kidney failure.
He was 71.
In one of his final interviews, Carr told CBC’s Power & Politics last week that while his health was failing, he was still grateful for another opportunity to contribute to the country he loved so much.
“Physically not great, but emotionally really, really solid and grateful for the chance to continue to contribute to my country,” he said with a smile.
“I love every square metre of this country in English, en Francais, in Indigenous languages — I wish I spoke more of them — in the language of the newly arrived and all that represents to Canada and Canadians.”
In a statement, his family said he was pleased to see his bill, “Building a Green Prairie Economy,” pass through the House of Commons just last week.
“Working with his fellow members of Parliament across the country over the past few months on this important legislation filled him with energy and kept his spirits high,” the family wrote.
“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.”
Julian Ovens, who served as Jim Carr’s chief of staff when he was trade minister, spoke highly of his former boss.
“He was a gentleman. A moderate. A great colleague … and absolutely the best chair of any organization or meeting one could ask for,” he said.
“He was an important member of the Jewish community in Winnipeg. He was always interested in how he could advance peace. Manitoba and the Prairies were always close to his heart in Ottawa.”
WATCH | In an interview last week, Jim Carr discusses health, private member’s bill
“It’s not good enough to gab,” Manitoba Liberal MP Jim Carr told Power & Politics about his Building a Green Prairie Economy Act. “You have to say to Parliamentarians, we’ve been at this for a year and here’s what we have done so far; here’s where we intend to go.”
