By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Former BC Premier John Horgan who led the province for five years before stepping down in Nov. 2022 after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer has lost his battle with cancer, dying at the age of 65.
Horgan died at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria on Tuesday morning, surrounded by family and friends in his final days. In a post to X his family said, “Our hearts are broken to announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father and Friend, John Horgan.
“John passed away peacefully this morning at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. The well-being of British Columbia and everyone in it was everything to him.
“He was surrounded by family, friends and love in his final days.”
The post finished off with the statement “Live Long and Prosper,” a phrase from the popular 1960s TV series Star Trek, which Horgan had previously used to express his confidence in overcoming cancer. Horgan had previously been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2008 and throat cancer in 2021.
This past June Horgan announced he was on leave from his position as Canadian Ambassador to Germany following the thyroid cancer diagnosis.
The flag at the BC legislature will be flown at half-mast and British Columbians will be offered an opportunity to express their condolences once arrangements for his service have been made. The family has asked for privacy in their time of mourning.
BC Premier David Eby said the news of Horgan’s passing “leaves us with heavy hearts,” noting that Horgan loved this province and its people.
“He sought to address injustice wherever he saw it – using his time in office to help build a better, stronger British Columbia for everyone.
“His many accomplishments as premier will be felt for years and generations to come. His achievements are too numerous to mention, but he was a consequential premier at a critical time in our history,” Eby said.
During his time in office, Horgan polled amongst the most popular premiers in Canada.
Premier John Horgan answers questions from the press regarding the Speech from the Throne on February 12, 2020 after the NDP secured a majority election win. Province of BC photo
“We share our sadness and grief with his beloved wife, Ellie, with whom he shared 45 years of adventure. It was not time enough. Ellie is in our thoughts and prayers, as are his sons Evan and Nate, the rest of his family and his many, many friends.”
Horgan is credited with resurrecting the political fortunes of the provincial NDP who spent nearly 15 years in the political wilderness. Horgan was first elected to the legislature’s opposition benches in 2005, and was acclaimed NDP leader in 2014.
Three years later, the NDP was elected to power with the help of a power-sharing agreement with the BC Green Party, ousting the BC Liberals after 16 years in government. Horgan ended the agreement in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, calling a snap election in which the NDP won a majority.
