Long-time Calgary MLA Moe Amery dies at 69

Moe Amery, a long-time Calgary politician who was the MLA for Calgary-East for more than 20 years, has died. He was 69.

His son Mickey Amery, the current justice minister and attorney general of Alberta, posted a statement to social media on Thursday morning confirming his father's death.

"There are few words that I can muster at this time to describe how much our family will miss him or how shattered we are," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We know that he touched so many people over his lifetime and I am simply devastated to have to bring this news to all of you."

Born in Lebanon in 1954, Amery moved to Canada in 1974, working as a realtor until he was first elected in 1993.

"He pioneered so many things for immigrants and newcomers. He worked hard and was able to pursue all the dreams that newcomers strive for," Mickey told CBC News.

"For that to happen by somebody who had to come to this country and had to learn the language and become accustomed to Canadian society, I think that's just an incredible feat."

A veteran politician, Amery was described by those close to him as a hardworking man who was devoted to community and public service.

His political career spanned more than two decades with Alberta's Progressive Conservative party, introducing a number of private member's bills, including a change to the Traffic Safety Act in 2015.

He also sponsored the Wildlife Amendment Act in 1996, a government bill that, among other things, saw the creation of a committee to make recommendations on the designation of endangered and threatened species. 

Many provincial and federal politicians, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, took to social media to offer condolences, sharing their memories of Amery.

"Moe Amery was a dedicated Albertan who served our province faithfully as a member of the Legislative Assembly," Smith wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We pay tribute to his enduring legacy."

Despite Amery's full-time political career, Mickey said his dad didn't let work get in the way of him being a family man and a father.

"He found a delicate balance between serving the public for more than two decades and also making sure his children were well taken care of," Mickey said.

"It's an incredible honour to have him as a father."