Wednesday November 13, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated November 17, 2024]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
It was only yesterday that the news broke about the passing of former Premier John Horgan, who spun some political spin that will last far beyond this day: “I’m just John from Langford”.
For the many thousands of people he met over the years, John Horgan left a special memory, moment or mark on their lives. Even if only a brief encounter, the impact took hold and resonates onward.
Whether people were politically-involved or not, Horgan made time for every person along his path. And people remember.
In addition to the numerous tributes made in official channels, the stores of these everyday encounters are beginning to unfold.
Many of those encounters have inspired a commitment to service, sometimes immediately or even years later.
Anyone who met John Horgan — even briefly — came away with something to ponder, respond to, or remember.
And even now that he has passed, Horgan’s presence in his local town, on Vancouver Island, across BC and in parts across Canada lives on.
Book of Condolences:
The simple act of writing a few words into a Book of Condolences is, in fact, no small thing. People will probably want to sort their thoughts and craft their words a bit before penning their farewell to John Horgan in the Book of Condolences in the Hall of Honour at the BC Legislature this week.
John Horgan passed away on November 12, 2024. The official Book of Condolences is available for people to contribute their remarks this week and up to the date of the memorial service (date to be announced.
The Book of Condolences will be available weekdays starting Thursday November 14, 2024 at 10 am, and in the days thereafter from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
There is also an online opportunity to sign the Book of Condolences for John Horgan.
All messages will be compiled and presented to John Horgan’s family.
Time as Premier:
John Horgan served as Premier from July 2017 to November 2022.
He formed a progressive government in 2017 (shoring up his NDP team with BC Green support) and returned a majority NDP government in 2020.
In his time as Premier he guided the province through the major challenges of the COVID pandemic, turned his Attorney General (David Eby) loose to clean up money laundering in casinos and resurrect the badly damaged ICBC, made inroads with better management of BC Hydro and BC Ferries, and turned the attention of the transportation ministry to improving Highway 14 to support his Sooke voter base.
One way or another, he challenged people to do their level best.
===== RELATED:
- 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