Wednesday June 29, 2022 | NATIONAL
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first Tweeted out his remarks to Premier John Horgan on Twitter earlier in the day, June 28. Trudeau is in Spain for NATO meetings.
Then later in the evening, his office issued a statement of support and thanks.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank Premier Horgan for his service to British Columbians.
“Premier Horgan has improved the lives of British Columbians. From taking ambitious climate action, to delivering more affordable child care for families in British Columbia starting this year, and helping people through COVID‑19, his strong leadership has made life better for people in the province.
“I have worked closely with Premier Horgan over the past five years to advance the issues that matter to British Columbians and all Canadians, including creating clean growth and good middle-class jobs. He has been a strong advocate for affordable housing, reliable public transit, and quality health care and services for families. Working together, we signed a historic early learning and child care agreement that will deliver results now, and $10-a-day child care in the coming years.
“I thank Premier Horgan for his over 17 years of dedicated public service. He will be missed at the First Ministers’ table. I wish him and his family the very best in the future.”
Coming up in July:
Premier John Horgan is Chair of the Council of the Federation (all of Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers), and will be hosting a COF meeting in Victoria next month (July 11 and 12).
Horgan’s ultimate project:
The key topic for discussion at the COF meeting in July is the Canada Health Transfer. Presently provinces receive only 22% of in a funding arrangement that used to see the provinces get 50% many years ago. Horgan has long proposed that the provinces and territories (which are responsible for health care) need to get up to at least 35%. It has not lately been specified as to whether that would be all at once or in increments.
As people live with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other health scenarios (e.g. burgeoning population of seniors, the ongoing opioid crisis, long-COVID, mental health issues, etc) the cost of health care will continue to be highly significant and likely will increase.
Horgan went to Trent University in Ontario, where he long ago met the founder of Canada’s medicare system, NDP Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas. Horgan often tells the tale as to how listening to Douglas inspired him to do politics to change people’s lives for the better.
===== RELATED:
Premier Horgan not seeking reelection in 2024 – announcement, comments, photos (June 28, 2022)
Looking back at Horgan on the west shore (Island Social Trends local photo album – June 28, 2022)
Who might replace Premier John Horgan as party leader (June 28, 2022)
Premier Horgan to grads: You are ready to build a better world (June 27, 2022)
Premier Horgan attends Sooke Community Sport Box grand opening (June 27, 2022)
Trudeau promises national network of EV charging stations (April 11, 2022)
Trudeau & Horgan: Omicron, Canada Health Transfer, disaster response (January 4, 2022)