John Horgan, Former B.C. Premier, Dies at 65

John Horgan, the charismatic former Premier of British Columbia who led the province through the COVID-19 pandemic and most recently served as Canada's ambassador to Germany, died today in Victoria at the age of 65.

A working-class politician who never lost touch with his roots, Horgan's journey from a struggling single-parent household to the province's highest office embodied the values he championed throughout his political career.

Born in Victoria on August 7, 1959, Horgan was raised by his mother Alice, who supported him and his three siblings after his father died of a brain aneurysm when John was just 18 months old. Working multiple jobs to fund his education, including at a pulp mill in Ocean Falls, Horgan's early life shaped his enduring commitment to working families.

He met his future wife Ellie while studying at Trent University in 1979, where he would earn his Bachelor of Arts in 1983. After waiting tables at the Keg in Victoria, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Sydney, completing his master's degree in history in 1986.

His early career included roles as a legislative assistant in Ottawa for MPs James Manly and Lynn Hunter before returning to Victoria in 1991. There, he served in various government positions of increasing responsibility, including as a ministerial assistant to Dave Zirnhelt and eventually as director of the Cabinet Policy and Communications Secretariat. His expertise in complex negotiations became evident through his work on the Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia River Treaty.

Following the 2001 change in government, Horgan demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding IdeaWorks, a consulting company that achieved notable success, including developing a campaign that convinced Vancouver City Council to lift its moratorium on slot machines in 2003.

His political career began in earnest when he was elected as MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca in 2005. After serving as Opposition critic for various portfolios and an unsuccessful bid for party leadership in 2011, Horgan was acclaimed as leader of the BC NDP in 2014.

The 2017 election marked a turning point in B.C. politics when Horgan formed a minority government through a historic confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party. He would go on to secure a majority government in 2020, becoming British Columbia's first two-term NDP premier and the longest-serving NDP premier in the province's history.

Health challenges marked his later years in office. After successfully battling bladder cancer in 2008, he faced throat cancer in 2021, leading to his decision to step down as premier in 2022. Following his retirement from provincial politics in March 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him as Canada's ambassador to Germany in November 2023, a role he served in until taking leave in June 2024 due to thyroid cancer.

Throughout his career, Horgan's achievements included the elimination of Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums, the introduction of paid sick leave legislation, and steering the province through the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership style, marked by pragmatism and ability to work across party lines, earned him widespread respect throughout British Columbia's political spectrum.

He is survived by his wife Ellie and their two sons.

Horgan's legacy in British Columbia politics will be remembered not just for his policy achievements, but for his ability to maintain humanity and humor in the often-contentious world of provincial politics. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in British Columbia's political history, but his influence on the province's political culture and his example of leadership during crisis will continue to resonate for years to come.