James Flaherty is a Canadian politician who served as the Minister of Finance from 2006 to 2014. He was a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and represented the Whitby—Oshawa riding. Flaherty played a significant role in shaping Canada's economic policies during his tenure, particularly during the global financial crisis. Born on June 30, 1949, in Lachine, Quebec, Flaherty studied at Queen's University and later earned a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He was known for his commitment to fiscal responsibility and was instrumental in implementing tax cuts and balancing the federal budget. Flaherty passed away on April 10, 2014.