Alberta Premier Ralph Klein wiped tears from his eyes as he marked his last session in the provincial legislature Thursday.
Ralph Klein said he felt a sense of relief as he entered the Alberta legislature as premier for the final time. (CBC)
INDEPTH: Ralph Klein: Alberta's populist premier
The Progressive Conservative premier is retiring later this year and the house won't sit again before he retires in the fall, when the party elects a new leader.
Klein, who has served as Alberta's premier for 13 years, said he felt a sense of relief as he entered the assembly for the final time.
MLAs from all parties and former politicians paid tribute to Klein throughout the day.
First-name basis
NDP Leader Brian Mason praised Klein for his feisty spirit and his frank answers to tough questions. Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said Klein is rare among Canadian politicians in that more people refer to him by his first name than his title.
"It won't be the same without you, Ralph," said Mason to much cheering.
Liberal Leader Kevin Taft praised Klein as a role model.
"The premier has never been afraid to wear his humanity on his sleeve and I think everyone in this legislature and legislatures across Canada should learn from the premier's example," said Taft.
Deputy premier Shirley McClellan described Klein as the most popular premier in Canadian history.
Klein wiped away tears as he was given a long standing ovation.
He said he'll miss the thrust and parry of the legislature and "the ability to act up once in awhile – even though I face the chagrin and wrath of the Edmonton Journal."
Klein says he will also miss being in the limelight when he steps down.
He plans to spend some time relaxing over the summer while fulfilling his duties as premier until a new leader is chosen.
Klein was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1989 and was named minister of the environment under Premier Don Getty.
Confrontations with others
Over the years, Klein has had numerous run-ins with Ottawa, the provinces and other Conservatives.
Klein's relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been described as distant. He criticized Harper's Conservatives in the 2004 federal campaign and predicted in November 2005 that the Liberals would win another minority government.
After the 2004 election, Klein said he would not be leading the Conservatives into another election.
On March 14, 2006, Klein announced that he would be stepping down in the fall of 2007 adding that he would remain premier until a new leader was chosen, early in 2008.
Earlier this month Klein announced that he will become a fellow with the Fraser Institute when he retires from politics.