Dear Editor,
The Order of Canada should be reserved for people who have made a difference to this country via humanity, hard work, selflessness, and a love for our country.
It may be harsh to say King Ralph possessed none of those tributes, but his short falls were so obvious, and so disgraceful that his appointment will mar those who have received it. Premier Klein got drunk, went to a homeless shelter, and threw money at the feet of a homeless man, with the advice to “get a job.” Premier Klein, at a political rally in Grande Prairie made fun of two women on AISH payments, who were exercising the right to demonstrate for an increase in living allowances.
Premier Klein was not a great Canadian. He was a leader in the whole ‘Firewall around Alberta’ fiasco.
Some people may want to award him an Order of Alberta membership, but there was nothing done to build a better Canada coming out of his office. In fact, keeping Alberta isolated from the rest of Canada was the tool King Ralph used to maintain his throne.
There is no doubt he had a colourful place in the history of Alberta. Canada, not so much.
He was not a patriotic Canadian. He did not show any empathy for people who needed his assistance and he doesn’t deserve to be recognized with the Order of Canada.
Ian McLean,
Sylvan Lake