Former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice was one of four killed in a plane crash near Kelowna on Thursday evening.
Officials have said the plane, which is described as a twin-engine Cessna Citation, disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Kelowna. The plane was headed to the Springbank Airport near Calgary.
Prentice, 60, served as Alberta’s premier from September 2014 to May 2015 when the PCs lost the provincial election to the Alberta NDP.
Prentice had served as MP for Calgary Centre-North from 2004 to 2010. Following his resignation from federal politics, Prentice joined provincial politics becoming MLA for the Calgary-Foothills riding – a post he resigned from following his defeat in the provincial election.
Condolences from Albertans and government officials continue to pour in this afternoon including from the City’s Mayor Tara Veer.
“On behalf of Red Deerians, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to family, friends, fellow Albertans and Canadians mourning the tragic and unexpected loss of former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice,” she said.
“Former Premier Prentice dedicated much of his life to public service, serving with intelligence, integrity, experience, and passion for issues such as Aboriginal affairs, energy, and the environment, but above all leaving us with a profound sense of loss.
“We have lost a friend and loyal advocate for Alberta and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and closest friends at this difficult time,” said Veer.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
