Thursday December 9, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
BC Forests Minister Katrine Conroy is recovering from her injuries after an apparent assault in Victoria.
Premier John Horgan posted on Twitter as to his frustration about the incident for which there is little yet known. In his December 8 tweet he asked anyone with information — any witnesses — to get in touch with the Victoria Police Department:
“I’m very upset my friend Minister @KatrineConroy was knocked to the ground & hurt last night walking home from the Legislature. Kat’s one of the toughest people I know & she’ll continue working hard for people. I encourage any potential witnesses to please contact @VicPDCanada.”
Conroy is the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. It’s unclear whether her role in government has anything to do with the incident.
Apparently Minister Conroy suffered a concussion during the incident and is having trouble remembering about the incident.
Premier John Horgan’s office issued a statement Wednesday, saying the incident happened to Forests Minister Katrine Conroy as she was walking home, and that she was recovering after suffering minor injuries.
Police seeking witnesses:
Victoria Police confirmed it is investigating the incident, which was reported to them on Wednesday. It is not yet clear exactly where the incident happened or who allegedly knocked the minister down. The time period is approximately 8 pm to 8:30 pm that it happened on Wednesday evening, within a few blocks of the BC Legislature building, according to TV news reports this evening.
“The minister suffered non-life-threatening injuries and later attended hospital for medical treatment,” police said, adding that an investigation is underway.
A spokesman said a Good Samaritan may have helped Conroy during or after the incident, and asked that person to contact police.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 250-995-7654, extension 1. Those wishing to stay anonymous can contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Victoria Police File: 21-48919
Support across the board:
Messages of support for Conroy have poured in over the last day or so, from a wide range of government regardless of party stripe.
“Terrible experience, thinking of you tonight,” said Shirley Bond, interim leader of the BC Liberals, in social media. Also on Wednesday, Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau wished Conroy a speedy recovery.
“Premier Horgan, the cabinet, and the entire BC NDP caucus are supporting Minister Conroy in any way that she needs,” the statement reads.
Background:
Conroy is the MLA for Kootenay West, now in her fifth term (elected 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020).
In June 2020, Katrine’s husband Ed Conroy passed away at the age of 73. Ed Conroy was a former BC cabinet minister and MLA.
