Canada

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Peter Lougheed speaks during his induction into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame at a Gala in Montreal, Friday, April 23, 2010. Former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed has died at age 84. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office confirmed that Lougheed died Thursday in the Calgary hospital bearing his name. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Flags flew at half-mast, a vase of white roses stood beneath his legislature portrait and tributes from across the country poured in Friday for former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed.

Leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, lauded Lougheed as a visionary who fought hard for Alberta's rights, but who also advocated for a strong Canada.

"This is the loss of a truly great man and that is an overused phrase in our business in politics, but Peter Lougheed was truly a giant, obviously a giant of our province, but also of our country," Harper said while in southern Quebec.

Lougheed, who was premier from 1971 to 1985, died Thursday night at the age of 84 in the Calgary hospital that bears his name.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford announced she would return home early from a trade mission to China.

"We lost a great Canadian and a great Albertan, the most influential and important in our province's history," Redford said in an audio posting to her Facebook page.

"Peter Lougheed was a visionary, an inspirational leader who forged a path for success and prosperity in our province that is unmatched and will be enjoyed by generations to come."