Manmeet Bhullar, MLA Calgary-Greenway, was killed today in a motor vehicle accident on Highway #2 north of Red Deer.
Innisfail RCMP issued the following statement this evening:
Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit Responds to Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
Red Deer, AB – This afternoon at about 2:20 p.m., Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle collision on the QE II near the Blindman River hill, north of Red Deer. Investigation thus far indicates that a north bound vehicle lost control and rolled into the median on the south side of the Blindman River hill. Two north bound vehicles then stopped on the left shoulder of the highway to assist. A semi-truck that was also north bound, and descending the hill, appears to have lost control, striking the rear of the first vehicle that had stopped to assist, then continued into the median out of control and struck the driver, and sole occupant of the second vehicle, who was outside his vehicle on foot in the median. This driver, a 35 year old male of Calgary was seriously injured and taken to hospital by ambulance but has since died of the injuries sustained. The family of the deceased has been advised. The name of the deceased is not being released. There were no other injuries in this collision.
This vehicle collision remains under investigation and there is no additional detail available at this time. A further release will be issued tomorrow as additional details become known.
Statement from the family of Manmeet Singh Bhullar:
“The light in our lives went dark today. Manmeet Singh left us while he was doing what he loved more than anything – helping someone else. We know he would want us to be thankful for the countless blessings he was given by God. Just as his faith, wife, family, friends, and community gave him strength, it will give us strength now. We thank you for your support during this difficult time and ask for privacy.
He demanded excellence of himself and those around him. We are all better because of him.”
The family of Manmeet Singh Bhullar
#nicetomanmeetyou
Interim party leader Ric McIver issued a statement Monday evening on behalf of PC caucus.
“Manmeet was much-loved as a husband to Namrita and a dear friend, not just to his colleagues but also to anyone who came to know him. His passion and dedication will live on in our hearts and we will greatly miss him.”
Premier Rachel Notley issued the following statement on the passing of Calgary-Greenway MLA Manmeet Bhullar.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Greenway, the Honourable Manmeet Bhullar. He was a loyal member of the Progressive Conservative caucus.
This is a terrible tragedy and our first thoughts are for Mr. Bhullar’s family and loved ones, as well as his constituents, his caucus colleagues, Members of the Legislature, and the people of Alberta.
Mr. Bhullar worked tirelessly in service of this province. First elected in 2008, he proudly served as Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Human Services, and Minister of Service Alberta.
All Albertans should be proud of his significant contributions to public life.
There will be opportunities to remember his life and work over the coming days and we will do so along with all Albertans.
We have lost our colleague, Calgary-Greenway has lost a friend and effective voice in the legislature, and most of all, we have all lost a passionate advocate for Alberta.”
Pat Stier, Wildrose MLA for Livingstone Macleod, issued the following comment:
My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out tonight to Manmeet Bhullar’s family. A great person and dedicated Albertan. He will be missed.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi posted:
I am utterly gutted to hear of the sudden passing of Manmeet Singh Bhullar. A public servant, a true warrior for fairness and justice, a big man with a giant heart, a friend.
Manmeet’s accomplishments are well-known. He was a powerful community advocate from a young age and first elected to the Alberta legislature at 28. He was brave and unrelenting in his role, particularly when it came to forcefully advocating for children in care – the least powerful people in our society.
And this was his true calling – a man who defined integrity, who was genuine in everything he did, who never stopped fighting so that everyone could live a life of dignity.
I always looked forward to our long lunches over vegetarian Hakka Indian food and chai in our neighbourhood, talking politics and community and religion and pluralism and life. He was one of the finest men I have ever met in politics, or anywhere.
On our last lunch, he told me about how being in opposition wasn’t all bad – it gave him the time and capacity to work on issues that were very close to him, including the plight of Sikhs seeking to escape Afghanistan.
I will miss him so much. We all will.
And all of us are reaching out to his family and friends now. We will be there for you now the way he was always there for us.
In my faith tradition, when we hear of a death in the community, we say Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un, which means “to Allah (God) we belong and to him we shall return.” It seems right to say that to a man of such deep, abiding, and unshakeable faith.
Rest in peace, my brother.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
– Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Rona Ambrose, Interim Leader of the CPC and Leader of the Official Opposition
Rona Ambrose tweeted this message:
Saddened to hear of the tragic loss of AB PC Manmeet Bhullar tonight. We have all lost a friend. Thoughts and prayers with his family #ableg
Speaker Wanner issued the following statement on the passing of Calgary-Greenway MLA Manmeet Bhullar
It is with profound sadness that Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta learned of the passing of Calgary-Greenway MLA, Manmeet Singh Bhullar yesterday.
As we enter the Chamber this morning it is with heavy hearts in the absence of our friend and colleague.
When Mr. Bhullar was first elected in 2008 he was, at the time, the youngest Member to be elected at the age of 28. He quickly showed a political acumen that earned him the respect of other Members and made him a trusted advocate for his constituents and all Albertans. He will be missed by many.
On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta I extend our most sincere condolences to those closest to Manmeet, his friends and beloved family and his colleague from this Assembly. May you find comfort in knowing that Manmeet touched many lives. Our province had lost a good person.
Statement from Jim Prentice
CALGARY, Nov. 24, 2015 /CNW/ – “We are heart broken by the loss of Manmeet Singh Bhullar. It is hard to express how significant this loss is to our province and to our country. I know of no person in public life who cared more deeply and passionately about serving others. Indeed that is how he died. He was a pillar of strength for everyone who knew him. He certainly was to me. His family, friends, and community are devastated. Beyond that we are all poorer by the loss of this one man’s courage, compassion and sense of justice. Knowing Manmeet, he would now want us to carry on with his work. Karen and my thoughts and prayers are with Namrita and the Bhullar family.”
#nicetomanmeetyou
Jim Prentice
Statement from Alberta Liberal leader Dr. David Swan
“I’ve known Manmeet ever since the first day he entered the legislature. He was a passionate advocate for his community and I want to extend my sincerest condolences to his family for their terrible loss.”
Statement by Alberta Party leader Greg Clark
“Manmeet was a big man and his stature got attention. But more than that, much more than that, I remember his words. His words were powerful. Passionate. Intelligent. Meaningful.He is exactly the sort of person we need in public office. The world needs more Manmeet Bhullar, not less. Our province is a lesser place without Manmeet. Rest in peace my friend.”