Ralph Klein, once a
reporter for
CFCN TV and Radio, was elected mayor of
Calgary in 1980. He served as mayor for nine years. In 1989 he was elected into the
Alberta Legislature as a member of
Don Getty's
Conservative party. He served as
Minister of the
Environment until 1992, when he was elected leader of
Alberta Conservatives on December 5th, and sworn in as Premier of Alberta on December 12th. In 1993, the Conservative party was reelected with a
majority government. In 1997, they won again, increasing their majority; in 2001 they increased it again.
As Premier of Alberta, Klein implemented a controversial policy of cost-cutting, tax cuts, and debt reduction. As a result of this, and helped by rising oil and gas prices, Alberta now has no public debt and a strong economy. Klein's policies became much emulated by conservative governments throughout Canada; most notably by Mike Harris in Ontario.
Klein was born November 1, 1942 in Calgary, Alberta. He dropped out of high school to enlist in the Air Force. After leaving the service, he completed his schooling, and went on to become principal of the Calgary Business College.