Alberta legislature member remembered as fierce debater, children’s champion

EDMONTON – An Alberta member of the legislature is being remembered by his peers as a mountain of a man, a fierce political debater and a big-hearted champion of children.

White roses, a red prayer book and the provincial flag were placed Tuesday on the desk at which Manmeet Bhullar usually sat in the chamber. Politicians from both sides of the house walked past and paid silent tribute.

Bhullar, 35, was killed Monday on an icy and snowy stretch of the main route between Edmonton and Calgary. He had pulled over to the side of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway to offer help in a vehicle rollover.

An oncoming semi lost control and hit him.

He was in his third term as the member for the Calgary Greenway constituency.

Flags at all Alberta government buildings flew at half-mast on Tuesday and the Ontario legislature held a moment of silence. In Regina, Saskatchewan legislature member Greg Ottenbreit offered his condolences.

Bhullar served in three cabinet portfolios — Service Alberta, Human Services and Infrastructure — under the previous Progressive Conservative government.

It was as human services minister in 2014 that he took action following a newspaper’s investigative series revealing that 45 children had died in government care over a 14-year period. Bhullar put through changes allowing names and cases to be made public in the future.

“There are a lot of changes to children in care that he brought about that have made a big difference for many vulnerable kids and their families,” said NDP government house leader Brian Mason.

“I think that was his finest moment in terms of his contribution to public life.”

Liberal Leader David Swann agreed.

“He was a champion for children, and the responsibility of government to not only protect children but to make public issues related to their safety.”

Colleagues also remembered Bhullar as a tall, imposing man with a barrel chest and jet-black beard. They recalled razor-sharp debating skills coupled with an unyielding defence of Tory programs and values.

“He was a scary guy when you got him mad,” said Mason. “But he was a passionate guy. He could get really emotional about things that mattered.”

NDP Education Minister David Eggen said he remembered a lot of cross-floor battles when Bhullar was in cabinet.

“We often crossed swords in there, but always had a friendly word for each other afterwards.”

Eggen said he once bumped into Bhullar outside the gallery after one such heated exchange.

“He gave me a big hug, rearranged my spine a little bit, and we carried on with our work.”

None of Bhullar’s eight PC caucus colleagues was in the house Tuesday.

Bhullar was also a key lieutenant and friend to former premier Jim Prentice. Prentice said Bhullar’s belief in justice and compassion brought him respect from all sides.

“You could not go to a single community event anywhere in the province where people did not know of Manmeet Bhullar, and where people didn’t love him and respect him and admire him.”

Premier Rachel Notley, speaking on a conference call from Ottawa, said Bhullar “was always successful, very authentic, very committed and very capable.”

Proceedings at the Alberta legislature were suspended for the day, but were to resume Wednesday with tributes to Bhullar.

“It’s just horribly, horribly, horribly saddening to be here today and be in the assembly,” said Opposition Wildrose house leader Nathan Cooper.

“It’s going to be a number of tough days.”