Friday December 31, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
Posted by Island Social Trends | Mary P Brooke, editor
Premier John Horgan has issued his annual year-end New Year’s Greeting statement in this second consecutive year that has been indelibly marked upon and for everyone by the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather and various socioeconomic challenges.
In his own life, presently he is dealing with medical treatments for throat cancer.
The year that was:
Premier Horgan has, along with all of us, witnessed this year the marvels of the power of science, as seen through the success of vaccines in helping to stem the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic (including the pediatric vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, in recent weeks).
He has had a strong team around him through States of Emergency and two health emergencies (the pandemic and the overdose crisis). He’s been lucky to have a strong fiscal situation that the Province can draw up at times like this.
The Premier has led the Province of British Columbia this year through wildfires that filled the skies with smoke (a new summer health challenge), a record-breaking heat wave that led to the deaths of many (particularly older people in urban areas), and devastating floods (rocking the stability of the food supply chain).
Nationally, Horgan is leading the news directions of health-care. As Chair of the Council of the Federation (all the premiers of provinces and territories) he is engaging with the prime minister as to more adequate funding for health-care that the provinces deliver.
His government brought in new policy directions in forestry this year, and a revision of the Police Act is underway. All the way through the pandemic, Horgan’s government has been grateful for the leadership set by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry.
John Horgan has been the MLA for what is now Langford-Juan de Fuca, since 2005. The riding covers a wide swath of the west shore of south Vancouver Island including Langford, Highlands, Sooke, and Juan de Fuca up to Port Renfrew.
Year-end message in full:
Here is Premier John Horgan’s New Year’s message for 2022, as issued by the Premier’s Office today, December 31, 2021 (also posted with a video in social media):
Premier John Horgan’s New Year’s Day Message 2022:
“Tomorrow, we mark the beginning of a new year. Even for an optimist like myself, 2021 has been an exceptionally challenging time.
“For many, this will be remembered as the year that climate change arrived on our doorsteps. Here in B.C., we faced record-setting droughts, heat waves and forest fires, floods and mudslides.
“Through it all, British Columbians have risen to the challenge. Around the province, people have welcomed neighbours into their homes and onto their lands. They have provided food and shelter, helped rescue livestock and rushed to fill sandbags at all hours of the day and night.
“At the same time, we continue to grapple with a global pandemic that has claimed lives and threatened livelihoods. While we will feel these losses for a long time to come, there is reason for hope.
“Over the past year, the largest immunization program in B.C.’s history has rolled out around the province, with children now able to receive a safe and effective vaccine. For every person protected against COVID-19, we are all closer to reclaiming a more normal way of life.
“As a province, we have been tested in ways we never could have imagined. With each new challenge, British Columbians have responded with courage, generosity and a fierce determination to come back stronger. Our government will be there every step of the way.
“As we reflect on the year, let us celebrate the incredible resilience of British Columbians. Together, we look forward to the brighter days ahead.
“On behalf of all British Columbians, I wish you a Happy New Year!”
===== RELATED:
- Premier Horgan’s Christmas Message 2021 | Translations of the Premier’s 2021 Christmas message
- Strong BC vaccination effort for kids 5 to 11 (December 17, 2021)
- Canada Health Transfer top of mind for Premier Horgan into 2022 (December 12, 2021)
- Premiers pushing for Canada Health Transfer increase, says Horgan (September 23, 2021)
- ARCHIVE: Premier John Horgan’s statement on Christmas 2020 (December 24, 2020)
===== ABOUT THE EDITOR:
Mary P Brooke is the Editor and Publisher of Island Social Trends (formerly West Shore Voice News, which evolved from Sooke Voice News and before that MapleLine Magazine).
Since 2008, Ms Brooke has been covering the news and politics of the west shore (living in both Langford and Sooke) and the career trajectory of the Premier (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca since 2005).