MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Premier Ralph Klein was greeted enthusiastically by supporters when he returned to the hustings in southern Alberta on Thursday after a five-day absence due to his mother's death.

"It's so wonderful to be back on the campaign trail along with my wife Colleen," said Klein, who was cheered and applauded as he entered the campaign office of Medicine Hat Tory incumbent Rob Renner.

It was the 62-year-old premier's first public appearance since last weekend. He took time off to mourn the death of his mother, 80-year-old Florence Gray, who died in a Calgary hospital after a long illness.

The premier didn't mention his mother during the visit but focused on his standard message of a debt-free province, future commitments to education and public hearings on health care.

"One only needs to look at the record of this party and this government going back to 1993," he said.

"You hire me and fire me. I have more bosses than anyone else in this province. So we're going to consult you and find out what you want for your health-care system in order to make it affordable and sustainable."

Klein's departure brought a lull in the 28-day campaign for the Nov. 22 provincial election and relieved some of the public anger he drew last week over comments regarding the Alberta's Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program.

He was criticized as mean-spirited and disrespectful for saying two women who heckled him over payments to the disabled didn't look handicapped. He went on to say he suspected some people are abusing the program and he intends to cut off the undeserving.

The issue was raised again Thursday by Medicine Hat resident Mark Latham, who shook hands with Klein and spoke to him briefly about AISH.

"I confronted the premier a few minutes ago and asked him for some more money," Latham said. "He said he's looking at it, but I would like a yes or a no."

Latham said he told Klein it is difficult to make ends meet on the program and added he was "devastated" by the premier's comments last week.

Klein, who is seeking his fourth mandate as premier in what he has said will be his last election, was given credit for getting back on the campaign trail so soon after his mother's death.

"It's very important that the premier get back and anyone who has lost a parent knows how stressful that is," said Jim Horsman, a former legislative member and deputy premier. "I think it's one of the most difficult rites of passage that anyone can undergo.

"I'm sure he wants to get on the campaign trail, too, and I think it's probably good for him."

More than 150 people turned out to listen to Klein, express their condolences or get a chance to wish him luck.

"The pressures of politics are tremendous. I admire the courage and stamina that it brings to pull one's self away from grieving for one's mother and getting back into the fray," said supporter Terry Riley.