OTTAWA — Former Conservative MP and cabinet minister Chuck Strahl has died at the age of 67.

Strahl was first elected in 1993 and represented the B.C. riding of Chilliwack_Fraser Canyon until his retirement in 2011.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Strahl a “dear friend” in a social media post Wednesday.

“Chuck’s unwavering commitment to our movement and his deep love for Canada were part of everything he did,” Poilievre said.

“He was a man of principle, integrity and compassion, and a foundational member of our Conservative party.”

First elected as a Reform Party MP, Strahl held multiple cabinet portfolios in the government of former prime minister Stephen Harper. That included posts as the minister of agriculture, transport and what was then called Indian affairs and northern development.