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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Political tributes flow for Lougheed

Late Alberta premier lauded as visionary

By: Dean Bennett

Posted: 09/15/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Peter Lougheed (THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES)

EDMONTON -- Flags flew at half-mast, a vase of white roses stood beneath his legislature portrait and tributes from across the country poured in Friday for the late former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed.

Leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, lauded Lougheed as a visionary who fought hard for Alberta's rights, but who also advocated for a strong Canada.

"This is the loss of a truly great man, and that is an overused phrase in our business in politics, but Peter Lougheed was truly a giant -- obviously a giant of our province, but also of our country," Harper said while in southern Quebec.

Lougheed, premier from 1971 to 1985, died Thursday night at the age of 84 in the Calgary hospital that bears his name.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford announced she would return home early from a trade mission to China.

"We lost a great Canadian and a great Albertan, the most influential and important in our province's history," Redford said in an audio posting to her Facebook page.

"Peter Lougheed was a visionary, an inspirational leader who forged a path for success and prosperity in our province that is unmatched and will be enjoyed by generations to come."

Redford had known Lougheed from her earliest days in politics and has often spoken of him as a mentor.

Plans for a public memorial were expected in the coming days.

The condolences and remembrances, from political leaders to people in the street, seemed countless.

Added Harper: "I obviously will miss him as an adviser that I greatly respected. I can't say enough about what he has contributed. It's just one of those times when it really makes you sit back and look at the great sweep of history and what has been achieved and, in particular, to admire Peter Lougheed's role in all of that."

In Ottawa, Opposition NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said: "Peter Lougheed's work and achievements for Albertans and all Canadians has left an indelible mark in our collective history and will be remembered by future generations."

In B.C., Premier Christy Clark said: "Today, Canada lost a true renaissance man -- a leader with vision and passion and an undeniable legacy. His inspired leadership laid the foundation for Western Canada's influence in Ottawa today."

In Calgary, Colleen Klein, wife of former Alberta premier Ralph Klein, said her husband developed a bond with Lougheed even before Klein became premier in 1992.

"Ralph often reflected on their relationship built during the time they worked together as mayor of Calgary and premier of Alberta to bring the 1988 Olympic Winter Games to Calgary and make these Games a tremendous success," she said.

She spoke for the family, as Klein is battling a form of dementia.

She said Lougheed was a mentor and sounding board for Klein, who was premier until 2006 and took the province from the depths of low oil prices and big deficits to multibillion-dollar surpluses.

"When Ralph became premier, he and former premier Lougheed spoke on many occasions about the challenges they shared and the Alberta they both wanted for Albertans," she said.

"Ralph, like all Albertans, understood how Peter Lougheed put Alberta on the global map so that others like Ralph, could follow."

Bill Smith, the president of Alberta's Progressive Conservative party, reminded party members that all they have they owe to Lougheed.

Lougheed led the fledgling PC party to victory over the Social Credit government in 1971, followed by 11 more consecutive majority victories, first under Lougheed, then under premiers Don Getty, Klein, Ed Stelmach and now Redford.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 15, 2012 A20

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