Updated: Former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty passes away

Former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty passed away Thursday. He died of a heart attack.

Former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty passed away Thursday. He died of a heart attack.

Emergency crews were called to his home in Ottawa Thursday afternoon, according to the Toronto Sun.

Canada's 37th finance minister, Flaherty stepped down from his post on March 18. Although he suffered from a rare but treatable skin disorder, Flaherty said at the time that his health did not play a factor in his decision to step down.

Flaherty served as Canada’s finance minister from 2006-2014. Prior to that he was the provincial finance minister for Ontario from 2001-2002.

He is survived by his wife, Christine Elliot – who represents Whitby-Oshawa in the Ontario legislature – and his three children. Flaherty was 64.