A provincial memorial service for former B.C. premier John Horgan will take place Sunday afternoon.
Horgan, who led the B.C. government from 2017 to 2022, died on Nov. 12 at the age of 65.
The service will be held at the Q Centre in Colwood, B.C., just southeast of Horgan’s home community of Langford on southern Vancouver Island.
CBC News will carry the service live on CBC News B.C., CBC Gem and cbc.ca/bc, as well as on TikTok and YouTube, beginning at 1 p.m. PT.
John Horgan, who served as B.C.’s New Democrat premier for five years before stepping down in 2022, has died at the age of 65. Former B.C. premier Glen Clark describes Horgan as genuine and callers to BC Today express gratitude for Horgan’s leadership during his time in government.
The government says Horgan’s provincial state memorial service will be led by Rev. Dr. Keith Howard. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Premier David Eby and other dignitaries will be attending.
Members of the public were required to get tickets to attend the provincial memorial service. Doors will open at 11:45 a.m., and the service will start at 1 p.m.
Horgan’s passing was mourned across the political spectrum, and the province announced the public would be able to sign a book of condolences starting Nov. 14 until the day after his memorial service.
Horgan was first elected to the B.C. Legislature in 2005 and became leader of the NDP in 2014, representing Langford throughout.
He garnered a strong legacy as a leader who could work across the political aisle. After his retirement from the premiership, he was appointed as Canada’s ambassador to Germany.
Politically, the former premier’s legacy will be defined by bringing the B.C. NDP two terms in power and passing a range of affordability policies amid the spiking cost of living and several crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of major flooding and wildfire disasters.
“What John really brought to the table was an ability to say everybody has good ideas,” Carole James, another former leader of the B.C. NDP and Horgan’s longtime friend, told CBC’s On The Island.
“He was, of course, a strong New Democrat and believed in the values that New Democrats do. But … he also recognized that good ideas can come from anywhere and he’d tell us that as caucus often.”
James said Horgan loved to connect with people, and described him as the “people’s premier” who helped the public see politicians in a different light.