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The two-term prime minister of the NPD will remain as party leader until a new leader is elected.
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June 28, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 6 minutes of reading • 80 comments BC Prime Minister John Horgan leaves a press conference where he announced that he will not seek re-election and will resign as party leader in the waiting for a leadership career. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG
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The Prime Minister of British Columbia, John Horgan, was with his wife, Ellie, 10 days ago, sitting on a beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island watching the otters play in the waves, when he took the most important decision of his political life.
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Fighting fatigue after a fight with throat cancer, Horgan, 62, told his wife that “doing a little more playing and a little work is probably not a bad idea.”
Horgan surprised political observers on Tuesday with the announcement that he will not seek a third term as prime minister, sparking a NDP leadership race two years before the 2024 provincial elections.
Horgan said that while he is cancer-free after radiation treatment last December and this January, his energy is dwindling, so he determined it is time to step away from the pressures of leading the province.
“We came to the conclusion that I am not able to commit six more years to this job,” Horgan told reporters at Vancouver’s Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront after a two-day cabinet retreat Monday and Tuesday. “My spouse and I felt it was time to pass things on to another generation.
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“It’s been really the thrill of my life. I’ve done my best not to let you down.”
The announcement comes at a critical time for the new Democrats. Two years after its majority government, the party is under pressure to address the rising cost of living driven by inflation and fix the collapse of the health care system.
Several government ministers are rumored to be considering a leadership career, including Attorney General David Eby, Employment Minister Ravi Kahlon, Finance Minister Selina Robinson and State Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West is also said to be considering a career.
The Prime Minister of British Columbia, John Horgan, moments before announcing that he will not seek re-election and that he will resign as party leader pending a leadership race. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG
Horgan said he was making the announcement now to “stop speculation about my future and talk again about British Colombians and their needs.”
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Horgan will remain as party leader until a new leader is elected. He has asked BC NPD president Aaron Sumexheltza to set a date in the fall for the NDP leadership vote. Horgan will remain as Langford-Juan de Fuca’s deputy until the next election, thus avoiding a by-election.
The strategy allows Horgan to retire as prime minister while he still ranks high in opinion polls – he is ranked as Canada’s third most popular prime minister – and gives a new leader plenty of time to build. political capital before facing BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon. in the October 2024 elections.
Former BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver, who reached an agreement with Horgan to bring down the BC Liberals under Christy Clark in 2017, said Horgan showed “enormous integrity” in resigning two years from the provincial elections.
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“I have tremendous respect for him to do it the way he did,” Weaver said. “It’s ethical, it’s full of integrity and it’s honest. For the first time in a long time, we have a prime minister who lets British Colombians know exactly how he feels about various issues instead of saying what he knows they want to hear.”
Kahlon said in a statement on Twitter, “Today is a tough day. I am sad and happy for my friend.” He thanked the Prime Minister for his service to British Colombians and said the party was fortunate to have Horgan at the helm during the pandemic, large-scale floods and wildfires.
Today is a tough day. I am sad and happy for my friend.
I want to thank Prime Minister @jjhorgan for his service to the people of BC. The last 5 years have been a challenge with the pandemic, floods and fires – We are lucky to have had him at the helm🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/59Rm3DjTuj
– Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) June 28, 2022
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Former finance minister Carole James summed up the leadership of her friend and confidant with a sporting analogy, a look at Organ’s love of lacrosse.
“He really is the best coach,” he said. “He knows how to put a team together.”
As an opposition leader, Horgan often took the home bus from the legislature to Langford, James said. When people asked why, Horgan said it gave him a chance to talk and connect with people.
At a time when the world is more divided than ever, James said, “John has this unique ability to cross … to be able to reach people from all walks of life.”
Falcon thanked Horgan for his 17-year contribution to BC as an MLA.
“While we may not have always agreed on politics, we both share a love for this province and a commitment to helping make BC a better place for all who consider it home,” he wrote. Falcon on Twitter. “Live long and prosper, John,” wrote Falcon, a reference to Organ’s love for Star Trek.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also took to Twitter to thank Horgan for his years of public service.
“From our ambitious climate action, to making daycare more affordable, to the leadership you provided to keep people safe through COVID-19, I’ve always been grateful to work with you,” Trudeau said. “I wish you all the best, John.”
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
2014: He is ardent, but lover not fighter; New NPD leader John Horgan prepares to enchant Prime Minister Christy Clark with BC voters
BC Election 2017: Helping hands gave John Horgan a boost to return
2018: Flying With John: My Unexpected Seven Hour Talk with the Prime Minister of British Columbia
The news comes two weeks before Horgan welcomes the country’s provincial and territorial leaders to Victoria at the Federation Council’s annual meeting.
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Horgan, who has chaired the federation since September, said his decision to resign will not affect his ability to push Trudeau to get more federal cash to bolster the ruined health care system.
Horgan fueled speculation that he would not seek a third term after taking full responsibility recently for the now-canceled plan to replace the Royal BC Museum for $ 789 million.
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BC NPD leader John Horgan when he was a baby in a family photo. Vancouver Sun.
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John Horgan, BC NDP leader as a young lacrosse player. Vancouver Sun.
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John Horgan with his wife Ellie and their two older children at a 2001. Vancouver Sun event
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John Horgan, wearing orange patched shirt, after a friendly football match with feiends in 2007. Photo by Hamily. Vancouver Sun.
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John Horgan receives a hug from a good wisher after winning Juan de Fuca and next to him on the right is re-elected by Eskimo Maurine Karagianis at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC on May 12, 2009. Photo by DEBRA BRASH / TIMES COLONIST
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John Horgan, BC NDP leadership candidate, on April 2, during the leadership debate at Vancouver’s Creekside Community Center. Photo of Ward Perrin / PNG
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BC NPD leader John Horgan buys a chocolate bunny while visiting Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, BC, April 12, 2017. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG
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BC NDP leader John Horgan greets the crowd at NDP headquarters in Vancouver, May 10, 2017. Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG
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BC NDP leader John Horgan shakes hands with the crowd at NDP headquarters in Vancouver, BC, May 10, 2017. Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG
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BC NDP party leader John Horgan is surrounded by current and newly elected NDP MPs during a caucus meeting in Vancouver, BC on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG
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BC NDP party leader John Horgan is surrounded by current and newly elected NDP MPs during a caucus meeting in Vancouver, BC on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG
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BC Prime Minister John Horgan announced at a press conference on Friday, August 25, 2017 that tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges would be canceled on September 1. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG
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BC Prime Minister John Horgan conducts a mini-training session as part of the BC Professional Firefighters Fire Ops program at the Vancouver Training Center in Vancouver, BC, on September 25, 2017. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG
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NPD leader John Horgan plays lacrosse while meeting the local candidate during an election campaign stop in Coquitlam on September 29, 2020. Photo by JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESS
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