Members of Parliament are paying tribute to the "Happy Warrior" in a special session of the House this morning.

After shutting down early Thursday afternoon in the wake of the sudden, tragic news of the death of Jim Flaherty, the Commons reopened Friday to give MPs on all sides of the House the opportunity to speak about their former colleague.

Deputy Speaker Joe Comartin, an NDP MP, led the Speaker's parade into the House at 10 a.m.

Labour Minister Kellie Leitch, who was a close friend to Flaherty and at his side giving him medical attention when he died, began by delivering condolences on behalf of the government.

"He gave his all to serve the country he loved," Leitch said of Flaherty, whom she recalled as a "short Irishman" with a love for a tall glass of Guinness.

CBCNews.ca is carrying the session live.

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