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Jim Prentice death: Ex-Alberta premier killed in plane crash Jim Prentice death: Ex-Alberta premier killed in plane crash
(35 minutes later)
Former Alberta premier Jim Prentice, 60, has died in a plane crash, the Conservative Party has confirmed.Former Alberta premier Jim Prentice, 60, has died in a plane crash, the Conservative Party has confirmed.
Officials said they are investigating how a plane travelling to Calgary on Thursday night from Kelowna, British Columbia, plunged to the ground.Officials said they are investigating how a plane travelling to Calgary on Thursday night from Kelowna, British Columbia, plunged to the ground.
Local media report that the plane was a corporate jet and that four people on board died.Local media report that the plane was a corporate jet and that four people on board died.
"Investigators located the crash site approximately four kilometres into a heavily wooded area," said police."Investigators located the crash site approximately four kilometres into a heavily wooded area," said police.
The Conservative Party confirmed the death on Twitter, and Canadian politicians have been paying tribute.The Conservative Party confirmed the death on Twitter, and Canadian politicians have been paying tribute.
Members of Parliament quickly began tweeting their condolences.Members of Parliament quickly began tweeting their condolences.
"Devastated by the tragic loss of Jim Prentice. Friend, devoted husband & father, fiercely proud Canadian & Albertan. A great man. RIP," tweeted Jason Kenney, who is running for Prentice's former position as leader of the Conservative Party of Alberta."Devastated by the tragic loss of Jim Prentice. Friend, devoted husband & father, fiercely proud Canadian & Albertan. A great man. RIP," tweeted Jason Kenney, who is running for Prentice's former position as leader of the Conservative Party of Alberta.
Mr Prentice first gained political recognition in 2004 after being elected to serve Calgary Centre-North.Mr Prentice first gained political recognition in 2004 after being elected to serve Calgary Centre-North.
He held a number of prominent cabinet positions, including Minister of Indian Affairs and Minister of the Environment.He held a number of prominent cabinet positions, including Minister of Indian Affairs and Minister of the Environment.
Known as a "red Tory" for his socially progressive views, Prentice voted in favour of a 2003 controversial same-sex marriage law, which he later called a defining moment in his career.Known as a "red Tory" for his socially progressive views, Prentice voted in favour of a 2003 controversial same-sex marriage law, which he later called a defining moment in his career.
"Through a storied career, Jim Prentice said a defining moment was voting same-sex marriage into law. Rest in Peace," tweeted Liberal MP Seamus O'Reagan."Through a storied career, Jim Prentice said a defining moment was voting same-sex marriage into law. Rest in Peace," tweeted Liberal MP Seamus O'Reagan.
"I'm heartbroken to hear my friend Jim Prentice was killed last night in a plane crash," wrote Green Party Leader Elizabeth May in a statement.
He retired from federal politics in 2010 to go into the private sector, but four years later, he mounted a successful bid for leadership of the Conservative Party in Alberta.He retired from federal politics in 2010 to go into the private sector, but four years later, he mounted a successful bid for leadership of the Conservative Party in Alberta.
In 2015, the Conservatives were voted out of office in Alberta for the first time in 44 years, losing to the New Democratic Party.In 2015, the Conservatives were voted out of office in Alberta for the first time in 44 years, losing to the New Democratic Party.
The former professional hockey player (whose career lasted five games), Mr Prentice said that he learned hard work from a young age, spending his summers away from university in a coal mine.The former professional hockey player (whose career lasted five games), Mr Prentice said that he learned hard work from a young age, spending his summers away from university in a coal mine.
"I always said I got my education there," Prentice once said about this time in the mines."I always said I got my education there," Prentice once said about this time in the mines.
"I learned teamwork, I learned respect for other people. I learned the fact that the smartest guy in the room is often not the guy you think is the smartest guy.""I learned teamwork, I learned respect for other people. I learned the fact that the smartest guy in the room is often not the guy you think is the smartest guy."
He leaves behind his wife Karen and three children.He leaves behind his wife Karen and three children.