Tuesday November 12, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC [Posted at 11:55 am | Updated through the day – last update 4:55 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today British Columbians have learned of the sad news of the passing of John Horgan.
Known of course as the former Premier of British Columbia during 2017 to 2022, he is known, appreciated and loved by many in his BC NDP party and caucus, the government, and the numerous communities and leaders whose efforts he enabled and lives he touched.
Comments from leaders in the community are rolling in:
- “John was a firm believer in the ideals of public service. He saw it as a privilege, as a way to help others and make our country better. At every opportunity he was given, he served Canadians with a tenacity, passion, and dedication that very few could match.” ~ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – full statement
- “His many accomplishments as premier will be felt for years and generations to come.” ~ BC Premier David Eby
- “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing John since his first term, when he represented me in the riding of Malahat—Juan de Fuca. Since then I’ve watched him grow into the leader I always knew he was, giving so much to his community and to the province he loved. John’s easy connection with the people he served and commitment to fighting for fairness were always sources of inspiration for me in my own political journey. He will be sorely missed, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. R.I.P. John from Langford.” ~ Alistair MacGregor, MP (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford)
- “Fighting for people wasn’t something John did, it was who he was.” ~ BC NDP president Aaron Sumexheltza
- “It breaks my heart. I’m grateful he was able to make it home. My thoughts are with Ellie, their sons and his family.” ~ Dr Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer
- “There are no words to describe what John Horgan meant to me. Little did I know, all those years ago in grade 5, how much that meeting would come to mean. I will always be most thankful to have known John. He is simply the best. Love you Horgan. See you later.” ~ Ravi Parmar, MLA (Langford-Highlands)
- “John dedicated his life to serving our province. He loved British Columbia and its people dearly.” ~ Sonia Furstenau, BC Green Party Leader
- “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they process this terrible loss.” ~ Adam Olsen, former BC Green MLA
- “Premier Horgan devoted his life to public service, and left a lasting mark on British Columbia. From his steady leadership to his charming ‘dad jokes’, we’ll miss his contributions to BC politics.” ~ Jeremy Valeriote, MLA (West Vancouver-Sea to Sky)
- “From his steady hand through the first years of the COVIC-19 pandemic, to his leadership on Indigenous Reconcilitation, Premier Horgan guided our province through many challenges, and BC is better for it. We’re grateful for his many years of service, and send our condolences to all the friends, family, staff and loved ones missing him today.” ~ Rob Botterell, MLA (Saanich North and the Islands)
- “It was John’s presence at community events, his spirit of playfulness, and his down-to-earth approach that truly endeared him to us.” ~ Maja Tait, Mayor, District of Sooke [Full statement]
- “On behalf of the (CRD) Board and Staff we offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of former BC Premier John Horgan upon the news of his death. John was a great man, an effective leader and Premier, a friend to the CRD and certainly gone too soon.” ~ Colin Plant, Chair, Capital Regional District (CRD) board.
- “Today our community lost ‘John from Langford’ to cancer. He put up a brave fight. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Ellie and his family. We are deeply saddened by his loss. I knew John for over 35 years through hockey with our kids and as Mayor while he was Langford’s MLA. He was passionate about Langford and we always were able to work together to get ‘stuff’ done. He was instrumental in helping me with Langford’s infrastructure needs to raise us out of ‘Dogpatch’ and poverty to being the thriving city we have today. John was passionate about local sports and education facilities and together we worked hard on making the new university in Langford a reality. And let’s hope we can all come together and name it in his honour! John was able to bring people from all sides to work together for what’s best for those he served. You will not be forgotten for your contribution and family sacrifices to serve our community, province and country. Rest in peace my friend.” ~ Stew Young, former Mayor of Langford (1992-2022)
- “Our hearts are heavy with the passing of former Premier John Horgan. John loved this province and cared deeply about its people and its future. Ellie and his family are in our thoughts. Thank you, John. You will be so missed.” ~ Dean Murdock, Mayor, District of Saanich
- “A very sad day in BC. I had the privilege to first meet John in 2005 when I served as a municipal councillor. And then for the 15 years I worked for the City of Langford. His office and our engineering department worked closely together to resolve local issues. He was always so down to earth. A rarity in politics that could relate provincial to municipal responsibilities. Never shy to answer a text or vice versa. A true gentleman. He will be greatly missed.” ~ Michelle Mahovolich, Immediate Past Board Chair, Engineers and Geoscientists
- “This is a great loss for our community. Horgan was an admired and accomplished leader, who saw our province through some of its most challenging times.” ~ Dr Philip Steenkamp, President and Vice-Chancellor, Royal Roads University
- “John’s presence will surely be missed in the community and the kind of guy that’s nearly impossible to replace,” ~ Doug Stuart, owner, Poncho’s Cafe, Langford
~ more comments to come
Background:
Former BC Premier John Horgan has died today November 12, 2024 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC with family and friends at his side in his final days. He was 65 (birthdate Aug 7, 1959).
Known affectionately in political circles as ‘Horgan’, he had been living in Germany since November 2023 as Canada’s Ambassador to Germany, with his wife Ellie at his side.
Both strategically and affectionately known as simply ‘Horgan’, the quick-witted consummate politician once recounted that someone in his family advised him not to run for MLA in 2005, because “he might win”.
But run he did, for the seat in the west shore region of Juan de Fuca (which later became Langford-Juan de Fuca) which over the years included Sooke, Metchosin and Langford. He held the MLA seat there from 2005 (re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2020) until exiting on his own timetable in 2023.
In 2017, Horgan masterfully aligned his barely-enough seats to win with the BC Greens (who had three MLAs) to form an NDP majority government. He and his team got rolling in July 2017 and have arguably reshaped the province of British Columbia in ways that make the province better for everyone. He promoted politics as a force for good, to help everyone.
As he departed from provincial politics with a slow slide that started in 2022 (stepping back from the premier’s job by year-end to allow his then Attorney General David Eby to shift into the top job, he was dealing with throat cancer. In June 2024 he announced the return of cancer, this time presenting as thyroid cancer. Horgan had beaten bladder cancer in 2008.
By spring 2023 Horgan had fully resigned out of provincial politics (last day as the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca was March 31, 2023), making way for his protégée Ravi Parmar to run in a by-election in Langford-Juan de Fuca in June 2023. It may be seen as poignant that Parmar will be sworn in as the MLA for Langford-Highlands tomorrow, along with long-time Sooke resident Dana Lajeunesse who is newly elected as the Juan de Fuca-Malahat MLA.
In November 2023 Horgan started in his ambassadorial role, also keeping one foot in the west shore as an advisor for Royal Roads University. He made a cameo appearance of a tour of the BC Legislature that aired on Global TV in December 2023, presenting him as part of the very fabric of the BC Legislature.
John James Horgan leaves behind his wife Ellie and two grown sons and their spouses.
He also leaves behind many improvements to the lives of people in BC, and many amazing memories for those who served with him in politics and on members of the media who followed his journey.
The BC general election on October 19, 2024 returned a BC NDP government, a testament to the direction for BC that was set by the vision of John Horgan.
He may have wanted to be known as “just John from Langford” but he is deeply engraved in the minds, hearts and spirit of many British Columbians and particularly those in the New Democrat movement in BC and Canadian politics. To the Sooke community he will be forever entwined. He also made a ceremonial vow with the Indigenous peoples of the Sooke area, becoming ‘a man of the land’.
Horgan was a sports fan, with lacrosee as his favourite. One of his many proud moments locally in Sooke was to see the creation of an outdoor lacrosse sport box for use by the community.
He also quitely made his way around the people of Sooke, unceremoniously attending a regular Friday church lunch for low-income and other folks. It was one of the ways he remained grounded.
Horgan was an avowed Star Trek fan. He once told Island Social Trends that his favourite series in the Star Trek journey was Star Trek Voyager — with a woman captain who found herself and her crew abandoned in a galaxy far far away. But he was obviously a Spock fan too, saying “Live Longer and Prosper” in many appropriate circumstances.
As one Sooke resident has summed it up today: “He had to be a good guy; he was a Trekkie.”
- More photos to come.
- Info on memorial events to come.
==== RELATED:
- Horgan’s first day on the job in Germany (December 8, 2023)
- Horgan keeps one foot in the west shore (November 23, 2023)
- NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS
- More links to come