Longtime former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed, who died last week at the age of 84, is being remembered by a former West Central Alberta MLA and Social Credit leader as a man dedicated and committed to public service.
Bob Clark, who served in the legislature from 1960 to 1981, including two years as official opposition leader to Lougheed's government, says the Lougheed era was a time of great growth for the province.
“Certainly I have a great respect for Peter and his time as premier of Alberta,” said Clark, who lives in Carstairs. “He had the big responsibility of dealing with the federal government and looking after the province's interests in the oil and gas industry.
“He was a remarkable Albertan and a Canadian first. On a personal level I found him easy to get along with and a sincere and genuine person. I certainly recognized that contribution he made to Alberta.”
Lougheed was Alberta premier from 1971 to 1984. He oversaw and directed the growth of the province's oil and gas industry, championing Alberta's interests at the federal level.
Clark was elected in 1960 as Social Credit MLA and he retired in 1981. During that time he served as minister of youth (under Ernest Manning) and minister of education (under Harry Strom). He was the leader of the opposition during his last two years in the legislature, and served as Alberta's Ethics Commissioner from 1992 to 2003.
Myron Thompson, who was mayor of Sundre in the early 1980s, later going on to a long career as an MP, says Lougheed did some important things for rural Alberta.
“It was sure a change when he came on board,” said Thompson. “I sure remember the per capita grant ($100 per person) handout to us when I was mayor. For the first time for quite a while we're stuck with a problem of having money to spend.
“That was the year we decided to pave the whole town. That was the major project we decided to proceed with that per capita grant he brought in.”
Asked what he thinks Lougheed's legacy will be, Thompson replied: “I thought he was a good premier, although mind you I was pretty fond of Ernest Manning prior to him. I would never compare the two because they were not the same kind of thinkers. But they both did a great job and that's something we should always remember.”
Olds' Barb Hill met Lougheed when he officially opened the Olds Sportsplex in 1971.
Hill said the man was very personable and a major force in bringing recreation and cultural facilities to communities across the province.
“He made a great contribution to communities everywhere,” said Hill.
His time as premier will be long remembered as a highlight for Alberta, she said.
Olds-area resident Rita Thompson was involved with several Lougheed campaigns over the years, including before he was elected premier.
Lougheed bringing in the Individual Rights Protection Act and creating the Women's Advisory Council were highlights for her.
“In the very beginning he was very visionary and moved the province forward,” said Thompson. “It was the human rights things that were my passion, so that was his legacy for me.”
