CALGARY - Alberta's Wildrose leader says the public endorsement of the rival Conservatives by former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed is tragic.
Danielle Smith says premiers traditionally take a step back after leaving public office.
She says the fact the Progressive Conservatives are trotting out the respected politician going into the final week of the campaign shows how desperate they have become.
She says it is an indication the Conservatives have lost a great deal of support and are scrambling to get it back.
Premier Alison Redford told reporters she is thrilled to have Lougheed on board.
She says she has always considered him a mentor and his views carry a lot of weight with Alberta voters.
Lougheed is considered the father of the Conservative party which has held power in Alberta since 1971.
© The Canadian Press, 2012