The body of former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed arrived at the provincial legislature in Edmonton at approximately 7 p.m. MT Sunday.

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.

A motorcade with the hearse made the trip from Calgary Sunday afternoon and arrived in Edmonton just as the sun was setting.

The casket, draped in a Canadian flag, was removed from the hearse, then carried by RCMP officers along a red carpet then passed an honour guard in front of the legislature building.

His body will lie in state in the rotunda of the legislature for public viewing Monday and Tuesday.

The province says that members of Lougheed's family will be available in the 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.

The public will be allowed into the legislature to pay their respects at 10:30 a.m. MT Monday.

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.

For those not able to visit locations where books of condolence are available, an online tribute page has been created.

With files from the Canadian Press