MP’s infant daughter dies

OTTAWA — Central Nova MP Sean Fraser is stepping back from his House of Commons duties following the death of his newborn daughter earlier this month.

Last Wednesday afternoon, the Liberal MP tweeted the heartbreaking news. In the early hours of Dec. 3, his newborn daughter, Ruth Caroline Burton Fraser, died in her mother’s arms despite the best efforts of her medical team.

“Though her life was short, every moment was filled with love,” Fraser said in the statement. “We sincerely appreciate the love and support of our families and close friends at this time of unspeakable difficulty.”

Fraser said he is taking time away from his official duties to be with his family, and as such has not been able to keep up with his usual routine of attending meetings and 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 asked that those wishing to send condolences to donate to the neonatal intensive care unit at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax instead 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.