Central Nova MP Sean Fraser is stepping back from his House of Commons duties following the death of his newborn daughter earlier this month.
On Wednesday afternoon the Liberal MP tweeted the heartbreaking news: in the early hours of Dec. 3, his newborn daughter Ruth Caroline Burton Fraser passed away in her mother’s arms despite the best efforts of her medical team.
“Though her life was short, every moment was filled with love,” he said in the statement.
“We sincerely appreciate the love and support of our families and close friends at this time of unspeakable difficulty.”
Personal Statement from Sean Fraser: pic.twitter.com/GNlUz5vAM2
— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) December 11, 2019
Fraser said he is taking time away from my official duties to be with my family and as such has not been able to keep up with his usual routine of taking meetings and attending community events. He also said he does not expect to take his seat in the House of Commons until Parliament resumes in the New Year.
“My constituency office remains open to assist those in need, and staff have been assigned to continue moving forward with projects that typically require my personal attention,” Fraser said.
Fraser is asking those wishing to send condolences to make a donation to the neonatal intensive care unit at the IWK Health Centre in lieu of flowers.
Fraser, who is also the parliamentary secretary to the environment minister, was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in October, defeating country music star George Canyon, who ran for the Conservatives.
He and his wife Sarah have a daughter, Molly, who was born three months prematurely in 2016.
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