His passing at age 84, is a loss to a province that has came into its own in Confederation during his terms of office, Lougheed bringing Alberta into the forefront of the Canadian debate, with equal amounts of Alberta pride, while always steeped in what he felt was best for Canada as a whole.
It was an approach that left him at logger heads at times with the federal government of the day in Ottawa, yet the success of Alberta and its place in the fabric of the nation never became more enshrined than when Lougheed was defending its interests.
It is perhaps that passion he had for his province and the nation that leaves Canadians a little saddened at his passing, while he had been out of the public debate for a number of years now his shadow was still large enough to provide for impact in Albert and thus, on the country as a whole.
A nod in one direction or another could still set a bit of policy in Alberta, as the Alberta Conservatives learned in the recent electoral battle with the upstart Wild Rose Party.
We wonder what Lougheed would have thought of the current inter provincial spitting match between British Columbia and Alberta, something we can't fathom taking place during his steady hold on the political tiller.
Not that there weren't fireworks during that time, it's just, during the Lougheed years, you had a sense that he was fully in control of his agenda, equal to the positions of those that perhaps thought otherwise, but surrendering no ground all while still placing himself firmly in a federalist camp.
While there are a few bright lights in the political ranks across the nation, none at the moment would seem to be approaching his standard for governance and his ability to defend his province while still looking at the larger national picture.
His penchant for strong debate and positions, but with a civil tongue, seemingly long lost in the political climate of the day. A sample of his statesmanship on display in the conversation with Alan Gregg that follows.
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Perhaps, that is why the nation pauses to reflect on his time in office, which provided a seminar on how to govern. His participation in the process part of the timeline of a newly confident Alberta in Canada ushering in an era of the rise in that province and the west in general in the federation.
It's a political course that many of our current crop of elected officials could use as a blue print for what is best for those that elected them to office.
Rex Murphy of the CBC captured the essence of the man quite nicely with this tribute and reflection on his career in politics and the impact he had on politics long after his retirement.
Some more of the coverage of his passing can be found below.
Edmonton Journal-- Lougheed Legacy 1928-2012
Calgary Herald-- Peter Lougheed's Life and Legacy
CBC-- Albertan's pay respects to former premier Lougheed
CBC-- Peter Lougheed's death stirs emotions of Canadians
CBC-- Peter Lougheed: Life in politics
Globe and Mail-- Two flags drape Peter Lougheed's coffin as mourners pay respects
Globe and Mail-- Remembering Lougheed: Chretien, Mulroney and Manning among peers to pay tribute
Globe and Mail-- Joe Clark: Lougheed built Canada by looking to Alberta's future
Globe and Mail-- Peter Lougheed, Mr. Alberta, helped the province come of age
National Post-- Two flags are better than one: Peter Lougheed's casked draped...
National Post-- Celebrating a "blue eyed sheik"
Maclean's-- Two flags drape Lougheeds coffin as mourners pay respects
Winnipeg Free Press--- Lougheed helped save Canada's democracy
The Tyee-- Peter Lougheed's Radical Legacy
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