Times Chronicle Staff

Premier John Horgan announced on Tuesday that he will not run in the next election, a decision he credited largely to the impact that cancer treatment has had on his physical well-being.

“As we reach the mid-point of our second term, it is clear the tasks ahead of us are enormous and will require a leader focused on the next two years and beyond,” said Horgan in his statement to the people of B.C. “A second bout with cancer and dozens of radiation treatments has led me to take stock.”

“I am proud to say I’m cancer free. While I have a lot of energy, I must acknowledge this may not be the case two years from now. Therefore, I have decided not to run again in the next election.”

Horgan expressed gratitude to the health care team that brought him to this crucial moment and to British Columbians “from every walk of life and from all political persuasions” who cheered him on during the treatment process. He also said that he looked forward to returning to his Langford-Juan de Fuca seat and “reconnecting with [his] neighbours.”

Horgan’s terms as premier have not been typical ones – his NDP government has seen political unrest rise to a fever pitch south of the border, then work its way north as people grappled with a worldwide pandemic, unprecedented weather emergencies, and precarious economic conditions that caused the cost of living to soar, among many other stressors.

“In the last five years, we’ve accomplished a lot by working together and caring for each other,” said Horgan, who appears to take a largely positive view of his time in office. “Being Premier is not a job I ever expected to have, yet it’s been the honour of my life.”
Local MLA Roly Russell offered his thanks to Horgan in a written statement, naming him as a leader, mentor, and friend.
“Throughout his time as Premier, John Horgan has faced incredible challenges but has always put people first,” said Russell. “John’s legacy is remarkable. Despite a pandemic, fires, floods, and even cancer, John has risen above. [He] has proven that he truly cares about the people of British Columbia.”

Horgan will remain in his position until a successor is chosen, and he named the escalating cost of living and the current state of health care as his cabinet’s primary concerns going forward. As he said to close his statement: “The work continues.”