Alberta’s interim PC leader Ric McIver on the loss of friend and former leader
Posted Oct 15, 2016 06:18:05 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s been a tough year for Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party, one they’re taking day by day at the moment after the loss of their friend and colleague, former leader and Premier Jim Prentice.
Prentice was killed with three other people, after the plane he was on crashed outside of Kelowna, British Columbia.
McIver, with much of the Progressive Conservative caucus behind him, told reporters his heart goes out to Prentice’s wife, children and grandchildren.
“This is a sad day,” he told reporters. “We’re aware there were four souls on the air plane and our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those people because they all are having a tragic day.”
McIver says all of Alberta and Canada remember a great man who served his province and country with dedication.
“Jim was a big advocate and a wonderful representative for not only Alberta but the city of Calgary while he was a Member of Parliament,” he said.
The two first started working together after a heated leadership contest and joked about Prentice’s sense of humour, allowing McIver to sit in cabinet.
“He was a great source of encouragement and inspiration to us in the P.C. party when he was leading us and for those of us who had the honour of working with Jim, his dedication, his commitment to public service, his willingness to listen to people and try to do the right thing is something I think we can all take forward.”
The interim leader says his family was the centre of his life and he loved nothing more than anything to spend time with his wife or to play with his grandchildren.
“Our thoughts and our prayers go out to Karen, the entire Prentice family and his loved ones. We’re thinking of you and you’re in our prayers during this very difficult time.”
It hasn’t even been a year since the passing of popular Calgary MLA and Progressive Conservative member Manmeet Bhullar, who died while trying to help a stranded motorist on the QEII in November, 2015.
“Some days are easier than others, today is obviously a difficult one,” said McIver, his voice cracking with emotion. “It’s just another reminder that we need to set our priorities clearly knowing that none of us are around forever and setting are minds to doing what we think is most important. I think that’s probably, outside of missing our friend, that’s the big lesson on days like this, use your days wisely.”
