The news was announced in the House of Commons on Monday. Carr, who has represented Winnipeg South Center since 2015, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma during the 2019 federal election campaign and faced kidney failure. It 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 chance to contribute to the country he loved so much. “Physically not great, but emotionally really, really solid and grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve my country,” she said with a smile. “I love every square meter of this country in English, en Francais, in the indigenous languages — I wish I spoke more of them — in the language of the newcomers and everything that represents Canada and Canadians.” WATCHES | In an interview last week, Jim Carr discusses health, the private member’s bill
Manitoba MP pushes for greener prairie economies as he battles cancer
“It’s not good enough to play,” Manitoba Liberal MP Jim Carr told Power & Politics about the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act. “You have to tell MPs, we’ve been at this for a year and here’s what we’ve done so far; this is where we intend to go.” In a statement, his family said they were delighted to see his bill, “Building a Green Pastures Economy”, pass the House of Commons just last week. “Working with his fellow lawmakers across the country over the past few months on this important legislation has energized him and kept his spirits high,” the family wrote. “As a dedicated elected official, business and community leader in Manitoba for more than 30 years, Jim was loved and respected by so many and we know he will be deeply missed.”
Carr remembered as ‘a gentleman’
His death prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the country and from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country has lost a dedicated MP. “Jim Carr’s passion, tenacity, integrity, humor and commitment to the Prairies was unmatched – and will be sorely missed,” he tweeted. Our team has lost a valuable member, our country has lost a dedicated Member of Parliament and many of us have lost a close friend. Jim Carr’s passion, tenacity, integrity, humor and commitment to the Prairies was second to none – and he will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/EkYWO1IwT1 —@JustinTrudeau “I have always admired his unwavering commitment to the betterment of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Canada,” Manitoba Premier Heather Stephenson tweeted. Paying tribute on Twitter, former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole called Carr honorable and “highly respected on all sides”. Statement on the death of Hon. Jim Carr. pic.twitter.com/jRQ6m05ecQ —@jimcarr_wpg NDP MP Charlie Angus called him classy. “We sat next to each other in the House. Every day I asked him, ‘What are you doing Jim?’” “Every day counts,” he said with a big smile,” Angus tweeted. “He served Canada with honor.”
MP played the oboe professionally
Carr has served in two high-profile roles before stepping back following his diagnosis. He first sat in cabinet as natural resources minister and helped oversee the government’s $4.5 billion purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Carr was then given the international trade portfolio in the summer of 2018. As NAFTA negotiations raged, he was tasked with diversifying Canada’s trade partnerships beyond the United States. Julian Owens, who served as Jim Carr’s chief of staff when he was trade minister, said groups like the Ottawa group working to reform the World Trade Organization only worked because of his presidency. “He was a gentleman. A moderate. A great colleague … and absolutely the best chairmanship of any organization or meeting anyone could ask for,” he said. “He was an important member of the Jewish community in Winnipeg. He was always interested in how he could promote peace. Manitoba and the prairies were always close to him in Ottawa.” Carr worked as a professional oboist and journalist before a stint in provincial politics. He then became president and CEO of the Manitoba Business Council and was awarded the Order of Manitoba. Liberal MP Marc Garneau, a former astronaut, tweeted what he called Carr’s “best memory”. “He asked me if I took music into space and I mentioned Marcello’s Oboe Concerto. He then told me he played the oboe and we pitched him the idea of playing the second part at the Liberal National Caucus,” Garneau wrote. “He was brilliant. A sweet moment.”
