Harper pays St. Patrick’s Day tribute to Jim Flaherty

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper (right) pays tribute to Jim Flaherty (left) in his St. Patrick’s day tweet. (Photo: Stephen Harper/Twitter)

OTTAWA—Former prime minister Stephen Harper is paying tribute to his old pal Jim Flaherty.

Harper has taken to Twitter to say that St. Patrick’s Day reminds him of his friend, who died two years ago next month.

The post includes a photo of Harper lifting a glass of Guinness beer while Flaherty smiles beside him.

Flaherty was Harper’s first and longest-lasting finance minister.

He died unexpectedly in 2014, just after leaving the finance portfolio.

The two men were close and Harper was close to tears several times in the days leading up to his emotional eulogy at the funeral.

His Twitter tribute to Flaherty ends: “May the luck of the Irish be with you all today!

However, the two had a falling out over income splitting policy during Flaherty’s last year in office.