Former Lethbridge MP Passes Away

Former Lethbridge and most recently Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner MP Jim Hillyer passed away Wednesday morning at his office in Ottawa.

Interim Conservative Party of Canada leader Rona Ambrose confirmed the news.

Initial reports suggest he died of a heart attack in his office, just off Parliament Hill.

Hillyer was a cancer survivor and had a bone marrow transplant in 2003.

In his 2011 campaign, Hillyer was dubbed “The Man Who Wasn’t There” by local media after he avoided interviews and refused to participate in public forums.

Nonetheless, he won easily.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague, Jim Hillyer,” Ambrose said in a statement.

“Jim was a valued and hardworking member of the Conservative team, and a passionate advocate for those he represented. More than that, he was a dedicated husband and father, and a man of strong faith and conviction. I pray that his and his family’s faith will help them through this very difficult time.”

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