Former prime minister Stephen Harper told a memorial service Monday that former Calgary MP Deepak Obhrai opened doors for new Canadians to become involved in politics.

He said Obhrai also built a legacy of engagement for the Conservative party.

Obhrai, 69, died earlier this month from liver cancer.

Born in Tanzania to parents from India, he settled in Calgary with his family in 1977. The businessman became the first Hindu elected to the House of Commons in 1997 when he won the Calgary East riding for the Reform party.

He was re-elected six times under the banners of the Canadian Alliance and Conservative parties.

"He never looked back," Harper told the public service in Calgary.

"There can be no doubt that, had God been willing, he would have made it eight successful campaigns in a few short weeks from now."

'Building bridges in every community'

Obhrai was the longest-serving parliamentary secretary to a minister of foreign affairs in Canadian history — from 2006 to 2015 — and was also the longest continuously serving Conservative MP, "as he frequently reminded me," Harper said.

Obhrai was proud of his accomplishments, Harper said.

"Deepak lived the Canadian immigrant dream and he led a generation of Conservatives in demonstrating how to build relationships in communities of different backgrounds across the country.

"He reminded us that the strength of free and democratic societies is not in the virtuous narratives and vanity of our leaders, but in the simple aspirations of everyday hard-working families for a better life."

Obhrai joined a crowded field of contenders to replace Harper in the 2017 Conservative leadership race, which was won by Andrew Scheer.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper, right, comforts Neena Obhrai, the late MP's widow, at the memorial in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Scheer, who is vying to replace Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the federal election in October, told those attending the memorial that he was working with the Reform party when he met Obhrai in 1999.

"Deepak was the one who was building bridges in every community across Canada, not just in the South Asian community."

Obrhai believed every person on Earth was worthy of dignity, freedom and opportunity, said Scheer, who added that he continues to meet "Deepak fans" everywhere he goes.

"Let's honour Deepak the best way we can by carrying on his fight and his commitment to those core Canadian values."