Some were caught off guard, others sad but understanding.
On Tuesday (June 28), B.C. premier John Horgan announced he would not be seeking re-election during the next provincial election scheduled for 2024.
Some Burnaby NDP MLAs were surprised by Horgan’s announcement and saddened that he has decided to step away. However, they understand why he made his decision.
“Yes, it did catch us off guard in terms of, you know, the fact that he announced it [on Tuesday],” Katrina Chen, Burnaby-Lougheed MLA and minister of state for child care told the NOW.
“He did say he had an interview a few days prior. He’s a very honest person. He’s very straightforward. And in that interview, he kind of shared that he’ll say something after a gathering with NDPers and the cabinet retreated.”
Chen says Horgan shared his decision before he revealed it publicly.
“It was very emotional. We had a lot of tears and we all cried a little bit. I would say it took us by surprise.”
Chen says Horgan’s ability to connect with people, and also look after others, were a few of the things she respected about him most.
“A lot of us shared about how he empowered so many people, including myself, I thanked him personally for, you know, years and years ago, when I first met him, you know, he encouraged me to do my first big public speaking [event]. And he was able to encourage me in a way to give me the confidence to go on stage, when he asked me to run, it was the same thing.
“Being an immigrant, I never imagined, you know, coming here and doing this job. He has always trusted people and empowers those around him, which is huge. People see him as a genuine leader, who is honest, who has integrity and is also willing to acknowledge he can continue to improve and adapt.”
“We want to carry on his important legacy and bring people together.”
Burnaby North MLA Janet Routledge says Horgan’s departure announcement made her sad.
She told the NOW they were aware of rumours surrounding his future, but it was still difficult to hear.
“We certainly heard the rumours, I think we all had. But my reaction was sadness,” she said.
“I am quite confident about going forward as a result of his leadership, we’re an exceptionally large team. He’s a really good team leader and he’s led us in a way that has allowed our team to mature and develop as individuals and as a group. So I think we have a very, very solid foundation.”
She remembers a certain event during the 2017 election where Horgan took the time to acknowledge a younger student that had come over to the press conference and whipped out a pencil and a pad and started asking him questions.
“He held a press conference in Burnaby North, my neighbourhood, on the front lawn of a house, a little bungalow, that was for sale. It was a big press conference. And just as things were getting underway, before reporters had the opportunity to answer questions, this group of school children came around the corner with the teacher from Gilmore Elementary School and stopped across the street and they watched as a group.
“One of the students, just as the scrum started, who must have been around eight years old, came across the street and whipped out a pencil and pad of paper and started asking John Horgan questions. And this is in the middle of an election. He could have handled that in so many different ways.
“What he chose to do was treat this young boy with respect and interest and curiosity and he answered all of his questions. He treated him like he was there legitimately.”
Routledge says later on, when the BC NDP were in government with Horgan as premier, the boy and his family came to the legislature and sat in the gallery.
“The premier introduced him and acknowledged him.
“And to me, that so defines his leadership and so defines his impact. I think what really defines him is, he really lets everyone know that they matter. This has been a big message of our government and will continue to be a big message of our government. You can say it in words, you can say it in policy and you can show it in the way you treat people. So for me, that defines his leadership and he has inspired me, quite frankly.”
In a statement to the NOW, Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA and advanced education minister Anne Kang said she is honoured to have the chance to work for Horgan.
“Premier Horgan has been a great leader through some of the toughest challenges we’ve seen as a province. I am so honoured to have been able to work with him.
“I am proud of John’s vision and his hard work to make life better for people. Whether it was eliminating MSP fees and unfair bridge tolls, creating thousands of new, affordable child care spaces across the province, or taking historic steps toward reconciliation, he was focused on getting results. “I am also grateful for his vision to fund and build 8000 student housing units on public post-secondary campuses, like those at SFU and BCIT, supporting student access and affordability to post-secondary education.
“John brought together a strong, diverse team of MLAs, and we stand ready to continue the important work of making life better for British Columbians.”
Also in a written statement, Burnaby-Edmonds MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Raj Chouan said Horgan has been a great leader while also saying it was an honour to work beside him.
"Premier Horgan has been a great leader through some of the toughest challenges we’ve seen as a province. He has always put people first and reminded us all of the importance of caring for each other.
"The Premier and I were first elected as MLAs in the same year, and it has been an honour to work alongside him during my time as MLA. I want to wish him and his family the very best for the next chapter."
Horgan said he began reflecting on his future when asked by CBC’s Gregor Craigie last week if he planned on finishing his term. He said he and wife Ellie strolled Otter Point and discussed it.
“When Ellie and I were on the beach, laughing and reflecting on how many beaches we’ve walked on in our lives … and it was just a moment where we said let’s do more of this and less of that, quite frankly.”
After the couple returned from their few days away, Horgan said, he came out of the shower and went into the kitchen, where his wife mentioned he was humming.
“[She] said you’re humming — you haven’t hummed in a while,” said Horgan. “So I think I’m at peace.
“It’s a very difficult decision. I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t. I love this job.”
Horgan said he believes his government is making a difference and has asked the president of the BC NDP to work on selecting a fall date for a leadership convention.
“But I know that my team can continue to do that without me, and so it’s time to exit when the new leader is picked and I’ll continue to find other ways to make a difference.”
- with files from Cindy E. Harnett, Times Colonist
