INNISFAIL - The news of the sudden and unexpected death of former Alberta premier and Calgary MP Jim Prentice on Oct. 13 sent shockwaves and heartbreak throughout the province and region, including here in Innisfail.
Prentice was killed with three other people Thursday night near Kelowna, B.C. during the crash of a plane bound for Calgary. He leaves behind his wife Karen and three daughters. The former premier was 60 years old.
Prentice served as the province's 16th premier from September 2014 to his party's defeat in the last provincial election in May 2015.
Prior to that he spent several years in politics at the federal level as member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North from 2004 to 2010. During that time he sat as a federal cabinet minister, filling a number of portfolios including industry minister, environment minister and minister of Indian affairs and northern development in former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet.
Premier Rachel Notley released a statement on the passing of Jim Prentice last Friday afternoon.
“There are no words adequate for moments like this, as my family knows very well,” said Notley. “But there are words to remember Premier Prentice's contributions to Alberta.
“He served our province in so many roles for so many years. He deeply loved Alberta. He worked tirelessly for all of us, in the true spirit of one who is committed to public service,” added the premier.
Many in Innisfail and area were saddened to hear the tragic news Friday, including members of the Progressive Conservative riding association for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
“I'm shocked at the loss we have today,” said Dennis Cooper, former president of the riding association. “I feel for his children and his wife that are left behind. My thoughts and prayers go to his family in this difficult time.
“Jim was a true Albertan,” he added. “Jim was a dedicated Progressive Conservative and he still worked hard for the party even after he lost the election.”
Cooper was president of the riding association during the time Prentice was premier. He met him on a number of occasions, including when Prentice ran for the PC leadership and also during the 2015 election campaign.
He remembered Prentice for his dedication to the party and the people of Alberta. His legacy, noted Cooper, is the insight and understanding that Prentice had as a politician.
“He saw what we were coming to in Alberta a year and a half to two years ago. He was preparing the province for the downturn in oil and his budget was being prepared accordingly,” said Cooper. “It's very sad to see a loss of a great Albertan like Jim Prentice.”
Earl Dreeshen, member of Parliament for Red Deer-Mountain View, was a close and longtime friend of Jim Prentice, noting he is left with several fond professional and personal memories over the years.
“He was a mentor when I first entered politics in 2008, and he helped me to make sure that I understood the workings of government, the responsibilities that I had and how important it was to serve your community first,” said Dreeshen. “He was probably one of the strongest public servants I have ever met.
“It was great to be around him; he was always positive,” he added. “That's probably what I'll remember the most.”
On the provincial front, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Don MacIntyre released a statement regarding the sudden passing of the former premier.
“I was shocked to hear the tragic news today. Jim was devoted to his province and his country, and for that we're all grateful,” said MacIntyre. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the Prentice family.”
Former Progressive Conservative MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake Kerry Towle expressed heartbreak at the news of Prentice's passing.
“I feel just absolute devastation,” said Towle, holding back tears to share some of her personal memories of working with the former premier.
“My experience with Jim was very kind, engaging and humble. When I crossed the floor, every day at 5 o'clock during session Jim would call me into his office and talk about how humbled he was to have me on his team,” she added.
“I was texting with him not three weeks ago, planning to get together and catch up.”
Towle said Prentice's death, so close to the sudden loss of MLA Manmeet Bhullar less than a year ago (last November), is another difficult loss for the party to bear.
“Just on the heels of Manmeet Bhullar being killed and now Jim. Those were two highly dedicated people to this province and to this country,” said Towle. “They were very good friends. Jim gave the eulogy at Manmeet's funeral.
“I hope that everybody can take a moment and understand most people are inherently good and we lost a really good person today,” she said, adding she was on the phone all day Friday texting and calling former colleagues, friends and Progressive Conservative MLAs.
“Everybody's trying to figure what to do next, where to gather and how to console each other,” said Towle. “All of us are thinking about his wife Karen, his children and his grandchildren.”
Plans are underway for a state funeral for the former premier on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium.
Dennis Cooper
"Jim was a true Albertan. He spent his life dedicated to public service."
