Former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice has passed away following a plane crash near Kelowna, B.C. on the evening of Thursday, October 13. 

Prentice and three others were involved in the crash and there were no survivors.

The former Alberta Premier is survived by his wife, Karen, and his three daughters.

In a statement released by Prentice's family, they express their sadness and ask for privacy at this time.

"Words cannot begin to express our profound shock and heartbreak at the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Jim, has died in this tragic event."

Member of Parliament for Banff-Airdrie, Blake Richards worked closely with Prentice for a number of years and says he was shocked to hear the news.

"I worked really close with him when he was environment minister federally," says Richards. "He took that role very seriously and was always looking for ways to improve the experience for visitors in the national parks."

Richards reflects on working with Prentice on the Legacy Trail between Banff and Canmore and says he will always remember Prentice's passion for the project. He adds that this loss comes as a very big blow for many.

"It's obviously tragic when you hear. He was still a young man with a lot of life ahead of him I think it's moments like those when it makes you stop and realize that you need to live your life because you never know when it might be over."