Reaction: Jim Flaherty resigns as finance minister

By Maurice Cacho

Published: March 18, 2014 at 5:50PM EDT

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty speaks at a pre-budget press event at the factory for the Canadian shoe company Mello Shoes in Toronto on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Canadians were shocked to learn of Jim Flaherty's resignation as finance minister from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet, announced at around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Here is a roundup of reaction from Twitter.

View the story "Reaction: Jim Flaherty resigns as finance minister" on StorifyReaction: Jim Flaherty resigns as finance ministerCanadians were shocked to learn of Jim Flaherty's resignation as finance minister from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet, announced at around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Here is a roundup of reaction from Twitter.Storified by CTVNews.ca· Tue, Mar 18 2014 14:45:21FULL STORY: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty resigns http://t.co/JIIW0jCdlH #cdnpoliCTV NewsIt has been an honour to serve Canada. Thank you for the opportunity. http://t.co/vIbBNgT0wYJim FlahertyThank you @JimFlaherty - the best Finance Minister in the world - for your years of dedicated service to Canadians. #cdnpoliStephen HarperFlaherty: I am on the road to a full recovery and the decision to leave politics was not related in any way to my health. #cdnpoliOmar SachedinaImmediately, Twitter users expressed their shock:Jim Flaherty resigned... didn't see that coming??Nat SmithMy jaw literally dropped re: FlahertyLiz ReimerJim Flaherty resigns. Wow.Stephen TaylorWow Jim Flaherty quit. Interesting. #cdnpoliErinWhoa, C$ way down on Flaherty's resignation.Philip QuickMany praised his track record as an MP and finance minister:Kudos to Jim Flaherty for all he's done & best for his next move. Left, centre or right no one can dispute his commitment to public service.Derek NighborThat is really all I can say about Flaherty's resignation. One of the country's best MP's and a great finance minister. #cdnpoli #cpcTNorrisJim Flaherty resigns his post as finance minister. Leaves the country's books in a great position almost balanced. Well done. #tipofthehatRay SmileyThank you Jim Flaherty for your legacy of leadership. #cdnpoli #cpc #roft #QuickPostWalter RobinsonRemembering how #flaherty spoke of the budget, I thought he made it seem like it was one of his final major acts as minister #canpoliAlexandria MitchellJim Flaherty the best finance minister Canada has seen for long time retires..not a good thing for the ConservativesHJ KlassenOthers, however, were happy to hear of his resignation:Jim #Flaherty was the worst Finance Minister Canada ever had. Harper the failed economist used him to push an anti-social agenda. #cdnpoliDannoGood bye mr. Flaherty. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. #getoutDGWv2.1See ya later Jim Flaherty. I will NOT be missing you. #cdnpoIiKatie WinstanleySome people were wondering if his health issues were to blame, despite his statement saying otherwise:Hoping Jim Flaherty's resignation doesn't mean we're about to get bad news about his health.Craig NeedlesHuh. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has resigned. Continued health concerns?aaronMeanwhile, several users wondered if there was more to his resignation than just an opportunity in the private sector:#flaherty quitting while he's ahead! Smart move! #cndpseTara AudelFlaherty has wisely jumped off the Titanic that is the Harper government #cdnpoIiDaniela AumDoes Jim Flaherty see a bus coming? #cdnpoliJulie WrightOthers wondered if the rift over income splitting was a factor:A bit shocked by the Flaherty announcement - is it over the income splitting debate? #financegeekKatie O'DellSo...income splitting? Is that still a thing? #FlahertyJake ReidSurprised to see Flaherty step down. If it's not about his health (and he claims it isn't), must be income-splitting, no? #cdnpoliJack Sullivan"You know what Stephen, I've had it up to here with you and these income-splitting shenanigans" -Flaherty, yesterday, after a few GuinnessesLuke KawaSpeculation turned to who will replace Flaherty in Harper's cabinet:@RobertFife predicts top candidates to replace @JimFlaherty 1. @HonJohnBaird 2. @joeoliver1 3. @TonyclementCPCAmber Kanwar Who will replace Flaherty as Finance Minister? #cdnpoliNathan LiewickiWith Jim Flaherty resigning as Finance Minister, who will @pmharper appoint tomorrow? Quietly hoping that my MP, Lisa Raitt fills the voidBrett NoilesSome users did poke fun at Flaherty's shoe-shopping traditions:Guess Jim Flaherty has all the shoes he needs? #cdnpoliJacob SerebrinNow that Jim Flaherty has resigned, who is Canada going to go shoe shopping with??Liz Da Ponte