Jim Hillyer had wanted job of MP all his life, Rona Ambrose says in tribute

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose and Prime Minister Justin Trudeauled tributes in the House of Commons Wednesday after the sudden death of Conservative MP Jim Hillyer.

Being an MP was thejob Hillyer wanted all his life, Ambrose told the Commons, fighting back tears as she spoke of his pride in representing his Alberta riding.

"He brought with him to Parliament an understanding and a great sympathyfor the concerns of regular, hard-working Canadians and it really showed," Ambrose said. "When you talked to Jim it was like talking to a neighbour."

Hillyer, 41, was found deadin his Parliament Hill office early this morning.

The MP forMedicine Hat-Cardston-Warnerhad complained of feeling ill on Tuesday.

Sources toldCBC News his family contacted Parliament Hill security whenthey were unable to reach him.

Tributes replacequestion period

Wednesday's question period wascancelled. Instead, leaders from each of the five political parties represented in the Commons offered memories ofHillyerand messages of condolence to his family.

Commons Speaker Geoff Reganarranged for acondolences book near the Commons so MPs couldconvey messages to his family.

A bouquet of red roses lay on Hillyer's desk.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper, who still holds a seat but appears infrequently in the House, was present for the tribute.

Ambrose told the Commons that Hillyerwas passionate about his fight for a stronger justice system.

The southern Alberta MP, she said, was very open, honest and humble and had a "goofy sense of humour."

In a recent media interview, she recounted, he was asked for his views on U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump.

"He said, 'Well, where I come from is redneck, andwe're not that redneck,'" she said, drawing laughter from both sides of the Commons.

MPs stood in a heartfelt round of applause after Ambrose spoke.

'Heaviness will remain'

Speaking next, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the interim Conservative leader's tribute had taught him and others things they didn't know about Hillyer. Heencouraged all his colleagues to reflect on how they don't know each other as well as they should.

Trudeau said the late MP was a hard-working public servant and a strongvoice for his community.

"His youth and the suddenness of his passing have blanketed the Hill with a weighty sadness today, and I know that this heaviness will remain for quite some time," the prime minister said.

"If this House and this country is made strong by the broad range of people and voices that serve it, then this morning we have certainly been diminished by Jim's passing."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcairnoted that he helped his riding so well that his office was honoured with an award for exemplary service.

"He was passionate in his political convictions. He enjoyed overwhelming support from his constituents. His voice will be sadly missed," he said. Hiswork was a tribute to his conviction that people matter, he added.

Interim Bloc QubcoisLeader Rhal Fortin and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also spoke.

May said she considered Hillyer a friend. His insistence on being in Ottawafor budget day on Tuesday,despiterecent illness, showed his strong sense of duty, she said.

MPs then observed a minute of silence.

After the tribute, the Houseset aside regular business andadjourned for the day,consistent with how previous sudden deaths of MPs have been handled.

The Senate alsosatonly briefly Wednesday afternoon to mark the death of a fellow parliamentarian.

In an online posting, Conservative MP Dan Albas, who sat beside Hillyer in the House of Commons, remembered the late MP as "one of those who quietly pushed the envelope, even if it rattled cages or made some uncomfortable in Ottawa."

"While we shared a love for reading," Albaswrote,"I cannot help but reflect that, much as a book cannot be judged by the cover, there was indeed much more to this quiet, unassuming man from Alberta who I was proud to call my friend."

'No question of his perseverance'

Hillyerwas first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, with 69 per cent of the vote.

The cause of his death is not yet known.

He survived a battle with leukemia in 2003.

Last month, the Medicine Hat Newsreported thatHillyerunderwent surgery Feb. 13for a serious and persistent bone infection in his leg. The newspaper said he'd experiencedrecurring health issues with his leg following a skiinginjury three years ago and the recenttreatment left him unable to travel to Ottawa for several weeks.

The leader of Alberta's Wildrose Party, Brian Jean,expressed his sorrow at losing a former colleague from his time in federal politics.

"Jim was a man who lived his life with passion and dedication to public service an individual who lived faithfully and honourably to his family and friends," Jean said in a statement.

"There's no question of his perseverance after earlier in his life overcoming a battle with leukemia. I was honoured to serve for several yearswith him in Ottawa and he will be deeply missed."

Hillyer is survived by his wife, Livi, and their four children: London, Taylor, Nation and Asia.

Jim Hillyer's last Commons address

8 years ago

Duration 1:06

Hillyer died overnight in his Ottawa office here is his last statement to the Commons on February 4th