Niagara Falls To Be Illuminated In Green in Honour Of Jim Flaherty

News frthe Niagara Parks Commission

Niagara Falls, ON, April 15^th, 2014 – In commemoration of the passing of former Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board will light Niagara Falls in green throughout the evening of April 16, the date of the official State Funeral being held in his honour.

The Niagara Parks Commission and its partners usually only turn great lights on the great Falls of Niagara for St. Patrick’s Day. This Wednesday, April 16th marks a special exeption for Jim Flaherity on the occasion of his state funeral. in Canada.

“The Illumination Board is proud to pay tribute to a great Canadian that dedicated his life for the betterment of his country,” stated Jim Diodati, Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls and Chair of the Illumination Board. In recognition of Mr. Flaherty’s years of public service, three 15 minute tribute illuminations will take place at 8:45 p.m., 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. (15 minute duration each) that evening.

In addition to the nightly illumination, Flags at all Ontario government buildings including those of The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), are to be flown at half-mast from now until sunset on Wednesday, April 16, in memory of the passing of the former Ontario Cabinet and Federal Finance Minister. According to NPC Chair Janice Thomson, “Niagara Parks is pleased to help recognize and pay tribute to the contributions made by Mr. Flaherty, to not only his home province, but the nation as a whole.”
The Honourable Jim Flaherty first served as a Provincial Member of Parliament from 1995 to 2005. During his tenure as the representative for the riding of Whitby-Ajax, Mr. Flaherty served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Attorney General and Minister of Labour. Elected to the House of Commons in 2006 as representative for the riding of Whitby-Oshawa, Mr. Flaherty served as Federal Finance Minister from February 2006 until March of 2014. Mr. Flaherty was 64 years-old

.According to the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage, “State Funerals are public events that may be held to honour and commemorate present and former governors general, and present and former prime ministers and sitting members of the Ministry. In addition, any eminent Canadian may be offered a state funeral at the discretion of the Prime Minister.”

In total there have been 36 State Funerals held in Canada, the most recent being held in recognition of the passing of His Excellency Nelson Mandela in 2013, and the Honourable Jack Layton in 2011.

Established in 1925, The Niagara Falls Illumination Board is made up of representatives from the City of Niagara Falls Ontario, the City of Niagara Falls, New York, Ontario Power Generation Inc., The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Niagara Parks Commission.  It is the Illumination Board’s responsibility and mandate to finance and maintain the nightly illumination of both the Horseshoe and American Falls.

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