EDMONTON -- Former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed's body has arrived at the provincial legislature where it will lie in state for two days.
Lougheed, who is widely credited as being one of the most influential leaders in the province's history, died in hospital in Calgary on Thursday at the age of 84.
His coffin will be in the rotunda of the legislature building for public viewing on Monday and Tuesday.
A motorcade with the hearse made the trip from Calgary Sunday afternoon arriving in Edmonton just as the bright sun was setting.
The coffin was greeted by dignitaries and an honour guard of RCMP members as well as Alberta sheriffs. It was carried into the building along a red carpet.
The province says that members of Lougheed's family will be available in the legislature's rotunda to accept condolences from the public while the coffin is on display.
The coffin will be closed during the public viewing at the legislature.
Lougheed, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives, led the party to victory over governing Social Credit in 1971. He remained premier until 1985, and the Tory party has remained in power ever since.
Lougheed's family has said that it will hold a private funeral and a public memorial service is being planned.
