Listen Live
HomeNewsFormer Alberta premier among four killed in BC plane crash

Former Alberta premier among four killed in BC plane crash

Former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice was among four people killed in a plane crash in British Columbia Thursday night.

Prentice was aboard a small aircraft that disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Kelowna en route to Springbank. The wreckage was later found and described as ‘unsurvivable.’

Prentice served as Alberta premier from September of 2014 to May of 2015 when the Tories were beaten by Rachel Notley and the NDP.

He also had a career in federal politics – having served as MP for Calgary Centre-North from 2004 to 2010.

- Advertisement -

In a statement, his family expressed their shock of his passing. They revealed his daughter’s father-in-law Ken Gellatly was one of the other passengers killed in the crash.

“To lose two family members at once is unbelievably painful,” the statement read.

“We are also thinking of the other families who have been affected by this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

“In the time Jim has been with us, he was a friend to many. Jim was a loving and compassionate man who dedicated his life to his family and public service. He will be so greatly missed.”

The North responds to his death

In his own statement, Premier Bob McLeod expressed his own sadness over the news.

“As premier of Alberta, he believed in a collaborative relationship between our two jurisdictions and worked to set a path forward to strengthen our economic and cultural links,” his statement read.

“Mr. Prentice was dedicated to making this country a better place for everyone, and spent much of his life working for Canadians in both the federal and provincial political spheres.  He was a good friend of the Northwest Territories.”

Prentice was also a good friend to the Dene Nation, according to Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus.

- Advertisement -

In a statement, Erasmus said: “He unquestionably had the ability to listen and speak out and show concern on issues that affected Indigenous people, we reciprocated by showing respect to him. He was a staunch Canadian politician and his passing imparts a loss for this country.”

Prentice was 60 years old. He leaves behind his wife, three children, and two grandchildren.

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading

All