Flaherty to get state funeral

Photo: CTV

A book of condolences and a photograph of former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is placed on a table in the lobby of House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, April 11, 2014. Flaherty died suddenly Thursday of an apparent heart attack. He was 64. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The Prime Minister's Office says a state funeral will be held Wednesday in Toronto for former finance minister Jim Flaherty.

Flaherty died suddenly Thursday, reportedly of a massive heart attack.

The 64-year-old was only a month removed from stepping down as finance minister, a portfolio he had held since the Conservatives came to power in early 2006.

A book of condolences has been made available to the public between today and Monday in the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill.

The last federal politician to receive a state funeral was former NDP leader Jack Layton, who died of cancer in August 2011.

Such an honour is normally reserved for current and former governors general, prime ministers and sitting members of cabinet — although a state funeral may be offered to any eminent Canadian at the discretion of the prime minister.