Conservative politicians and close friends honour and remember former MP Jim Abbott

Many Canadian politicians are paying homage to Jim Abbott following his passing this week, including former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Numerous Conservative politicians took to Twitter to offer condolences and remember the former Kootenay-Columbia MP that served the riding for 17 years with the Reform, Alliance, and Conservative Party.

Speaking to MyEastKootenayNow.com on Monday, David Wilks, the former Kootenay-Columbia MP that succeeded Abbott and is now the Mayor of Sparwood, said Abbott was close friends with Stephen Harper.

“He certainly spoke from the heart, he was very fond of his family, very fond of the Conservative movement, very close to Prime Minister Stephen Harper,” Wilks said Tuesday. “He was one that coaxed Stephen Harper into running for the Prime Minister of Canada.”

PREVIOUS: Former Conservative MP Jim Abbott dies at 77 (July 27, 2020)

Stephen Harper took to Twitter to offer his condolences.

On Tuesday, Rob Morrison, current Conservative MP for Kootenay-Columbia wrote a statement offering his thoughts on Abbott’s legendary political career.

“We lost a giant today. It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of The Honourable James Abbott. Jim represented this area with a distinguished level of service and was respected at the highest levels of Government. On October 15th, 2007 he was sworn in as a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, and with it received the title of “Honourable”. A fitting title for a leader who embodied the very definition of the word. He represented our area with a gentle spirit and was guided by an unwavering commitment to his Constituents. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Acting Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer offered his thoughts and condolences as well.

Other prominent members of the Conservative Party recognized Abbott’s service as an MP and his dedication to the riding.

Bill Bennett, the long-time Kootenay East MLA took to Facebook on Monday to remember Abbott, who was a dear friend even if they worked at different government levels during their careers.

Bradley Jones
Bradley Jones
Delivering local news and sports in the East Kootenay since April 2016, Bradley now calls Cranbrook home. Born and raised in Airdrie, AB, Bradley graduated from Lethbridge College, and has been a journalist, news anchor and reporter since 2014. Bradley took on local News Director responsibilities when he moved to Cranbrook in 2016. He is now Vista Radio's Kootenay News Director, managing and overseeing all news operations at the company's five regional radio stations in Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Castlegar, and Grand Forks.

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