EDMONTON – Various sources are telling Global News that former premier Ralph Klein’s health is deteriorating and the former premier is seriously ill.
Rod Love, the former chief of staff to Klein who has served as spokesman for the family, has declined to comment on the 70-year-old’s condition.
“Klein is resting comfortably. There are no plans to move him,” Love has told Global News.
“There are no further updates until a change in his condition.”
Klein has been suffering from frontal lobe dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The former Alberta premier was moved into a Calgary continuing care facility in October of 2011 and that’s where he continues to rest.
The Calgary Herald ran a story Wednesday morning in which they quoted two of Klein’s friends who say his condition is worsening.
“I know he is not well, and his condition, of course, is progressing,” said Klein’s former press secretary and longtime friend, Marisa Etmanski.
“He’s not in very good shape as it is,” said Klein’s longtime friend Ross Glen who saw the former premier about a week ago.
“It’s hard to see him like that because he’s such a good guy.”
Ralph Klein was Calgary’s mayor from 1980 to 1989 and Alberta’s premier from 1992 to 2006.
He led the Progressive Conservatives to majority victories in 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2004.
“King Ralph” oversaw sweeping changes to the province, notably the elimination of Alberta’s debt and deficit.
He was named an officer of the Order of Canada last year. In a rare gesture, the Governor General of Canada travelled to Calgary to present the honour to Klein’s wife Colleen.
Klein was unable to attend.
With files from the Calgary Herald
Comments