CALGARY – Calgary is preparing to remember one of its most prominent civic leaders – a political force of nature who carried the flag for a conservative revolution in Alberta to the rest of Canada.
Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein died Friday at the age of 70 after a battle with dementia and lung disease.
The province says it offered to hold a state funeral, similar to the one given to former premier Peter Lougheed last year. But the City of Calgary said in a statement yesterday that the family had asked it to organize a public celebration of the former mayor’s life.
On the streets of Calgary, there were fond memories shared by many who simply knew Klein by his first name.
“It was always Ralph. He was just a down to Earth people person and that’s why I think people didn’t call him premier,” said Marilyn Benko. “He’ll be remembered for all the good he’s done for Alberta, his friendliness and his compassion for the people and all the wonderful things he’s done for everyone.”
Klein began his public life in Calgary as a TV reporter.
He was a long shot when he ran for mayor in 1980, but his grassroots message of change resonated. He won and he never looked back.
Under his watch, the city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988.
He made the jump to provincial politics and, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives for four successive majority governments, he proved that politicians who did what they promised and stayed the course could surmount the most divisive of policies.
During his time as premier, Klein introduced a number of austerity measures and privatization initiatives that, coupled with multi-billion-dollar, oil-fuelled budget surpluses, eradicated Alberta’s accumulated $23-billion debt.
His cut-and-slash, damn-the-torpedoes philosophy – dubbed “The Klein Revolution” – changed the political tenor in Canada over deficit budgeting.
He stepped down in 2006, and fell into ill health shortly there after.
He is being remembered as a man who was a home in both the halls of power and the corner dive bar.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper called him “Citizen Ralph … a man who said what he believed and did what he said.”
Alberta Premier Alison Redford called Klein a visionary who instinctively understood what he was doing and why.
“It was always about the personal story, about understanding exactly how the work government was doing impacted people and always being very thoughtful about that,” she said.
On the streets of his home town, Nancy Cormier said she will remember Klein for his convictions.
“I voted for him,” she said. “I think he will be remembered for speaking frankly about what he thought of Alberta and for sticking by the people. I think he will be missed a lot.
“It’s always Ralph. When you hear the name Ralph your mind goes to him.”
Books of condolence have been set up in government buildings across Alberta.
Books will be available for members of the public to sign until April 12 in:
Edmonton- at the Alberta Legislature Rotunda- from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Calgary- at McDougall Centre- from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Fort McMurray- at the Provincial Building- from 8:15am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Grande Prairie- at the Provincial Building- from 8:15am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Lethbridge- at the Provincial Building- from 8:15am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Medicine Hat- at the Provincial Building- from 8:15am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Red Deer- at the Provincial Building- from 8:15am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
The City of Calgary will hold a public ‘Celebration of Life’ memorial on Friday, April 5th at noon, at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
In addition to invited guests, there will be seating open to the general public.
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