Former Alberta premier Jim Prentice has been killed in a plane crash.
According to the Canadian Press, Prentice was among four people onboard the Cessna Citation business jet that crashed shortly after take-off Thursday, Oct.13, from the Kelowna airport. The jet was on its way to Calgary.
According to media reports the plane went down in a heavily wooded area. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation.
Prentice held several cabinet posts under former prime minister Stephen Harper before leaving Ottawa for Alberta politics, where he served as premier.
However, his time as premier was short-lived. In September 2014 he became the premier of Alberta after he won the leadership race for the Progressive Conservative party.
In May 2015, his party was defeated when it lost to the NDP.
Prentice resigned from both his role as party leader and MLA on the election night.
In June, Prentice took a position as an energy advisor to Warburg Pincus, a private equity firm.鈥�
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley both expressed their condolences.
"He was broadly respected in the House of Commons 鈥� across all party lines 鈥� for his intelligence, commitment, and honest straightforward approach on tough issues. I greatly enjoyed the time I spent working closely beside Jim in the House, and know that he will be missed by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle,鈥� Trudeau wrote in a statement.
Notley said there are no adequate words for moments like this.
鈥淏ut there are words to remember Premier Prentice鈥檚 contributions to Alberta. He served our province in so many roles for so many years. He deeply loved Alberta. He worked tirelessly for all of us, in the true spirit of one who is committed to public service. I benefited from his advice, and the Government of Alberta is continuing to pursue many of his initiatives,鈥� Notley wrote. 鈥淔or Alberta, today is a day of sorrow in the face of terrible tragedy.鈥�
She also added that the provincial government will find an appropriate occasion to fully remember Prentice鈥檚 鈥渃areer and contributions鈥�.
