Ralph Klein to receive the Order of Canada

Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein has learned that he will receive the Order of Canada.

The Calgary Herald’s Don Braid learned the news from members of Klein’s family.

Reports Braid:

Klein’s friends were increasingly alarmed as he was passed over several times. The Order can’t be awarded posthumously, and he is very ill with with a severe form of frontal lobe dementia.

It would be most unusual for an ex-premier of Klein’s stature and long tenure to miss out on the Order of Canada.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said she was excited by the news. "Ralph is an Alberta icon, and he very much deserves to be inducted into the Order of Canada."

Klein was nominated by friends and colleagues as long ago as 2008.

Writes Braid: "It’s high time."