Former Alberta Premier and long-time-federal minister Jim Prentice and three others died in a plane crash in southern British Columbia.
His family confirmed Friday he died. He was 60.
Prentice was among former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s most trusted cabinet ministers. He served as the industry minister, environment minister and minister of Indian and northern affairs. He left federal politics for provincial politics and became premier of Alberta in 2014. His party was defeated a year later in elections, ending the Conservative party’s four-decade hold on power in the province.
Harper said in a statement that Prentice was a family man, friend, leader and a proud Canadian. He once called Prentice the chief operating officer of Canada’s government.
“He was highly respected and well liked across all party lines because he brought an intelligent, honest and straight forward approach to everything he did,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
In today’s world of dramatically increased polarisation, he stood out as a decent, civilised public servant
Current Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Prentice deeply loved Alberta and said she benefited from his advice.