Friday December 24, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
Posted by Island Social Trends | Mary P Brooke, editor
Premier John Horgan has issued his annual statement marking Christmas Day in this second consecutive year that has been indelibly marked upon and for everyone by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his own life, presently he is dealing with medical treatments for throat cancer.
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.
John Horgan has been the MLA for what is now Langford-Juan de Fuca, since 2005.
Horgan himself is a devout Christian. Last year at Christmas, he said: “There will be a time when we can all come together again, like we did before.”
Here is his Christmas message of 2021, as issued by the Premier’s Office:
Premier John Horgan’s Christmas Message 2021:
“Tomorrow, December 25, is a day for Christians around the world to celebrate the birth of their Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his message of peace, joy and love.
“These values will help guide us through another holiday season in which we must all take steps to avoid spreading COVID-19. Like you, I will be enjoying time with family and friends in small, safe groups or through the marvels of virtual communication.
“I encourage everyone to celebrate safely over the Christmas holiday, so we can look forward to coming together for many more celebrations in the weeks and months to come.
“While it has been a difficult year for our province, there is still much to be grateful for as British Columbians. I encourage everyone to reflect on the blessings in your life and the season’s values of kindness, charity and generosity.
“To all who celebrate, I wish you a safe and happy holiday, and a very Merry Christmas.”
===== RELATED:
- 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).