An ailing Ralph Klein should be given Order of Canada

There's a growing sentiment by many in the media that former Alberta premier Ralph Klein should be given the Order of Canada - before it's too late.

Klein, now 69, is suffering from frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disease that limits his speech and mobility.

According to a recent report in the Toronto Star, the man known as 'King Ralph' now lives in a continuing care home where he also battles Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).

On the surface, Klein receiving the Order of Canada seems like a no brainer.

While he wasn't as 'polished' as other politicians, Klein served nearly a decade as Calgary's mayor, overseeing the 1988 Winter Olympics, before jumping to provincial politics.

He was elected leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party and premier in 1992, and won the first of four majorities early the next year.

He eliminated the province's deficit and it has been said he inspired the Jean Chrétien Liberals to strive for a balancing of the nation's books.

He certainly had his foibles.

As chronicled in a recent article in the Globe and Mail, Klein once walked out of an Ottawa health summit to gamble at a casino, and tossed money at a man in a homeless shelter while telling him to get a job.

But that's also why people liked him - he was direct, real, and spoke from the heart.

So why hasn't Klein received the Order of Canada?

CTV's Don Martin, who spearheaded the unofficial 'Order of Canada for Klein' campaign says it appears to be a classic snub.

"This reeks of a snobby Ottawa establishment deciding a hard-living high school dropout with a cigarette-mooching habit and fondness for red wine isn't worth the lapel pin that passes for the Order of Canada status symbol," Martin wrote in a recent blog post.

"In other words, mere mortals need not apply. He is not of their class."

Martin added that former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed and former Ontario premier Bill Davis barely waited a year after retiring from politics to be pinned with their OC.

Since Martin's rant, others have also written pieces in support of Klein's induction.

"The Journal may not have supported all of his policies, but we would like to add voice in support," noted the Edmonoton Journal editorial board.

"The quicker he is given his due national recognition, the longer he will be able to enjoy it."

Martin is urging those who believe Klein is worthy of the Order, to nominate him at the Governor General's website.