Friday November 15, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC [Posted at 9:50 am | Updated 11:01 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
It’s well known that folks who live in the west shore, i.e. Langford, Metchosin, Sooke and beyond, often never get to downtown Victoria in a usual week, month or year.
It’s a region unto itself, beyond the core area of Greater Victoria.
That’s why it’s been a smart move by Ravi Parmar, MLA (Langford-Highlands) to set up a John Horgan Book of Condolences memorial opportunity for west shore residents, at his constituency office at 122-2806 Jacklin Road.
The constituency office is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. There is public transit on Jacklin, and vehicle parking out front of the office.
The voice of Langford-Juan de Fuca:
“John Horgan was the voice for Langford-Juan de Fuca for almost two decades, and his impact on our community is beyond measure,” said Parmar yesterday.
Langford-Juan de Fuca (a provincial riding that changed boundaries and names over the years) variably included Langford, Sooke, Metchosin, Highlands and Juan de Fuca (East Sooke, Otter Point, and out to Port Renfrew).
“He was a champion for healthcare, education, and infrastructure, and he always fought for a better quality of life for all British Columbians. John’s humor, warmth, and dedication to his work will be remembered by all who had the honour to work alongside him and the privilege to be represented by him,” Parmar said in a statement to all media.
Visiting the constituency office:
At the constituency office (that used to be John Horgan’s up to 2023), the board room is bright and festive with a tasteful memorial to Horgan. Images of John in the community cycle through on a digital screen. There’s a bowl of his favourite caramel corn snack, flowers, and a Victoria Shamrock’s lacrosse jersey that visitors can sign.
People can leave messages, pictures, and cards for his family, and share their favourite memories of John.
“This is a chance for us to come together, celebrate his life, and pay our respects to a leader who was, and always will be, ‘our guy’,” said Parmar.
Yesterday afternoon people filtered in one or two at a time, to chat with Parmar, spend a few minutes absorbing the ambiance of the memorial display in the boardroom, and contribute their remarks to the Book of Condolences.
Book of Condolences at the Legislature:
To honour John’s legacy, a book of condolences is now also available at the BC Legislature in downtown Victoria, and online.
The Book of Condolences at the Legislature was launched yesterday, where people can sign it from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in the Hall of Honour.
It will be available there until the day after the public memorial event for John date to be announced).
The Book of Condolences is also available online.
Memorial event:
The memorial for former Premier John Horgan will need a big venue, which is likely to be in a large venue like The Q Centre in Colwood, right here in the west shore.
Given the broad interest in that event provincially and nationally, the memorial will likely also be televised and livestreamed.
===== RELATED:
- Remembering John Horgan: book of condolences (Nov 13, 2024)
- Former BC Premier John Horgan has passed away (November 12, 2024)
- Horgan’s first day on the job in Germany (December 8, 2023)
- Horgan keeps one foot in the west shore (November 23, 2023)
- Horgan’s last day as MLA in Langford (April 1, 2023)
- John Horgan wraps up 18 years in BC elected politics (February 9, 2023)
- Horgan addresses media after Eby declared new Premier (October 20, 2022)
- NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS | BC 2024 PROVINCIAL ELECTION | LANGFORD