EDMONTON – It was a sombre and brief morning sitting at the Alberta Legislature Tuesday, as members paid tribute to their friend and colleague Manmeet Bhullar.
The 35-year-old MLA for Calgary-Greenway died Monday afternoon in a crash on Highway QEII near the Blindman River Hill. He had stopped to help a motorist who rolled into the median when he was struck by a semi-truck that lost control.
“He was a big man, but with a huge heart and I think that was illustrated with the way that he died,” said Duane Bratt, a Mount Royal University professor who taught Bhullar, “sitting on the side of a road in a blizzard trying to help somebody.”
READ MORE: Alberta PC MLA Manmeet Bhullar killed in car crash
“Honourable members, this is a sad day,” said Speaker of the House Bob Wanner. He paused before continuing, his voice shaking.
“The strength of this Assembly is our diversity, and the commitment to public service that all of us share.”
“The member for Calgary-Greenway lost his life in public service.”
Wanner then asked MLAs to bow their heads for a Sikh prayer.
“The world is terrified of death. Everyone longs to live. By Guru’s grace, one who dies while yet alive – understand the Lord’s will O Nanak – one who dies such a death lives forever.”
Watch below: A special prayer was said for MLA Manmeet Bhullar who died Monday in a collision
Government House Leader Brian Mason then submitted a motion to begin Wednesday’s morning sitting with a prayer before moving to ministerial statements. The motion was given unanimous consent.
Then, Opposition House Leader Nathan Cooper put forward a motion that the legislature be adjourned until Wednesday at 9 a.m. “in honour and in remembrance of a great Albertan, a great man, a man with an ever bigger heart than his stature, our friend and colleague Manmeet Bhullar.”
That motion was passed unanimously as well.
Watch below: Tuesday was a sombre day in Alberta politics as MLAs grieved the loss of colleague PC MLA Manmeet Bhullar who was killed in a crash on QEII Monday.
The government set up a memorial website where Albertans can send a message of sympathy to the Bhullar family.
Condolences quickly began pouring in for Bhullar Monday night, including a heartfelt statement from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
READ MORE: ‘I will miss him so much’: Condolences pour in following death of Alberta MLA Manmeet Bhullar
“He was elected in his 20s, joined cabinet in his early 30s, started off in the small jobs in charge of licence plates but ended up becoming Human Services Minister and moved on to a number of portfolios after that,” said Bratt.
“He had a much longer career ahead of him.”
“He was a man I liked,” added Bratt. “I commented on him, I criticized him sometimes, but he was a man I respected and liked personally and I just feel horrible.”
Bhullar, who previously served as Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Human Services and Minister of Service Alberta, was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in March 2008.
Watch below: Raw interview with Former Alberta Premier Allison Redford, who remembered Manmeet Bhullar as a passionate person, who was smart and driven.
“Manmeet touched so many people,” said former Alberta Premier Alison Redford. “Whenever I think of him I always think of the word teddy bear. He was so strong and powerful…but I think he could be like that because he had such a big heart. So many people today will be thinking about how much he touched their lives and how much he cared.”
Redford spoke about his great sense of humour and his laugh.
“He was a very warm person and he will be remembered that way.”
As Human Services Minister, Bhullar was heavily involved in getting changes made in Alberta that allow the publication of names and photos of children who die in government care.
READ MORE: Alberta lifts publication ban on children who die in care
“He was a champion for children and the responsibility of government not only protect children, but to make public issues relating to their safety in care, in government care,” said Liberal MLA David Swann.
On Tuesday, Bhullar’s colleagues shared their memories of him.
“I just still can’t quite believe this happened,” said NDP MLA David Eggen. “I remember when I was in opposition, coming out of the door after some heated exchange, and he gave me a big hug, rearranged my spine a little bit. It’s unbelievable to have someone so young, so strong, be taken from us. It’s very sad.”
“Even if you only had to point to one thing, his defence of children in care and the work he did in Human Services is absolutely incredible,” said Cooper. “Manmeet Bhullar had a heart the size of this province, for this province, and everyday he defended those less fortunate… Everyday he put the needs of people in front of his needs,” Cooper added.
“That was no more evident than yesterday.”
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