Known for his cowboy hats and controversial statements, former Alberta MP Myron Thompson, who died on Saturday (Jan. 5) after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, will also be remembered for his commitment, Thompson’s successor said.
“With Myron Thompson what you saw was what you got,” wrote MP Blake Richards, for Banff-Airdrie. “Myron was completely committed to his faith, his family, and to serving his constituents and country.”
Originally from Colorado, the dual-citizen Alberta high school teacher, turned Sundre mayor, turned Alberta MP whose seat included Banff and Canmore, was well-known for his critiques of the Liberal government while also focusing on a variety of issues, including opposing same-sex marriage and gun laws, while advocating for stronger victims rights and child pornography legislation.
Thompson made the decision to not seek re-election in 2007, resulting in him stepping down from Parliament after the 2008 federal election.
But despite the former MP leaving politics more than a decade ago, that did not stop Thompson from making one last visit to his old stomping grounds at the Sundre council chamber meeting last December, where the former mayor gave an emotion-filled speech about some things he learned since his cancer diagnosis.
“It’s never been more obvious to me than it has in the last little while,” the late Thompson said on Dec. 3. “Yes, you may disagree, but do it with compassion. You may not like an idea, but do it with honour and respect ... that’s strength.”
Described as having a “dogged determination,” Richard said when the late MP “latched onto an issue, he would tirelessly pursue it.”
“What we can learn from Myron’s life of public service is to always stay true to yourself and your beliefs.”
-with files from Simon Ducatel, Sundre Round Up
