Jim Parrott out of heart surgery, health minister says

Saint John-area MLA Jim Parrott underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

"I was asked by Dr. Parrott's wife to inform members of the legislature that he had completed his surgery," Health Minister Ted Flemming said in a statement at 5:30 p.m.

"But I can't comment further on his condition."

Parrott, a retiredheart surgeon and former head of the New Brunswick Heart Centre, waskicked outof theProgressive Conservativecaucus in September after criticizing his government over health issues.

The controversialbackbencherhad recently spoken out about bilingualism and duality, and written a newspaper commentary abouta lack of consultation with physicians.

He had also broken ranks with the Alward government in aFebruary newspaper commentaryabout plans to use only 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging machines to equip five regional hospitals.

The unanimous vote to oust Parrott from caucus was based on a recommendation by Premier David Alward.

"For the importance of our parliamentary system to work, there needs to be a level of trust and confidence in each member" to allow for dialogue and debate, Alward had said. "And I'm very disappointed to say that the member has broken that trust."

Parrott is still the MLA for the Fundy-River Valley, but sits as an independent.

The father of two and grandfather of fourwas elected in the 2010 provincial election.