“Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has resigned from cabinet to prepare for work in the private sector, he announced in a news release Tuesday. ‘Yesterday, I informed the prime minister that I am resigning from cabinet. This was a decision I made with my family earlier this year, as I will be returning to the private sector,’ Flaherty said in a statement. Conservative sources told CBC News that Flaherty spoke to his family at Christmas and made the decision then. He started calling close friends at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, after the markets closed, to let them know of his decision. Flaherty isn’t immediately going to a job in the private sector. ‘As I reflect on my almost two decades in politics, I am proud of the accomplishments of the governments I was part of, provincial and federal…. Now, I will focus on life beyond politics as I return to the private sector. I believe that I have served my country, province and constituents of Whitby-Oshawa to the best of my abilities and thank them for their continued trust and support for almost two decades,’ Flaherty said in the statement. Flaherty is staying on as an MP for the time being, his spokesman told CBC News.” Laura Payton wrote for CBC news. Payton continued “Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement that he accepted Flaherty’s resignation reluctantly. Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver will be named Flaherty’s replacement on Wednesday. ‘In a political career of almost 20 years, Minister Flaherty has exemplified the best qualities of those who enter public life: a true commitment to service, and a sincere desire to leave the country in better shape than it was when he entered politics,’ Harper said. ‘Since 2006, he has been a steady hand, ably guiding Canada through the most challenging economic times since the Great Depression and gaining the country a solid global reputation for economic management.’ Flaherty was Harper’s only finance minister. He was an MP who carried a great deal of influence in the Conservative caucus. He differed from Harper last month over a 2011 campaign promise to offer income splitting to couples with children. Kenney said he wants the party to stick with the promise, despite Flaherty’s opposition.” Read the full article here. | Raymond Matt, CFP, CLU, TEP, CHS
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