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Burnaby politicians remember former B.C. premier John Horgan

Horgan passed away Tuesday after a battle with thyroid cancer.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
premierhorgan01
Former B.C. premier John Horgan passed away on Tuesday after a battle against thyroid cancer.Government of BC/Flickr

Burnaby politicians are paying tribute after former B.C. premier John Horgan passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, after a battle with thyroid cancer.

Horgan, 65, died at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria yesterday, surrounded by loved ones in his final days, according to family. 

He served as B.C. premier for five years before stepping down in November 2022. 

Horgan, who previously survived a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2021 and bladder cancer in 2008, had remained confident he would “live long and prosper,” using the Vulcan salute and phrase made popular in the 1960s TV series Star Trek. 

Burnaby Centre MLA Anne Kang, who served as Minister of Citizens' Services under Horgan, said in a Facebook post she lost a great friend and the province lost a great leader.

"BC lost a great leader, and I lost a great friend," Kang wrote.

"I will always cherish the wonderful memories of us together. 

"John will be missed but never forgotten. Thank you, John Horgan, for everything you have done for our province and the impact you have made to my life." 

Burnaby North MLA Janet Routledge also shared her memories of Horgan on Facebook, sharing a video of Horgan excitedly trying out her knee scooter after she broke her ankle. 

"I am mourning the loss of former B.C. Premier John Horgan. John was truly the people’s premier," her post said.

"He had a remarkable ability to connect and make people feel valued and appreciated, regardless of their social status. Central to his legacy are government policies that promote equality and ensure no one gets left behind. I want to honour his memory by continuing to support and expand the transformative policies we initiated under his leadership.

"But here is the fun loving mischievous human Premier I will remember. I had badly broken my ankle the first summer after being elected. By the time we held our first caucus retreat in the early fall I had graduated to a knee scooter. When John walked into the room he looked me, looked at my knee scooter, and I knew he just had to try it out. So he did."

Burnaby-New Westminster MLA Raj Chouhan also posted to Facebook, saying Horgan was a "remarkable leader." 

"Today, we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, the former Premier of British Columbia. We were friends and colleagues for that past nearly 20 years. His legacy of service, compassion, and dedication to our province will forever inspire us. He devoted his life to building a stronger, fairer B.C., and his contributions will be felt for generations to come.

"My deepest condolences go out to his family: Ellie and his boys and other loved ones during this difficult time. Let us honour his memory by continuing the work he was so passionate about—creating a B.C. that uplifts everyone. Rest in peace." 

Former Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Katrina Chen said it's hard to believe Horgan is gone, thanking him for transforming "many people's" lives as well as hers. 

"Hard to believe you are gone John," Chen posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"You did so much to transform many people's lives, including mine - and countless families who benefited from the @10aDayPlan. Thank you... We'll miss you a lot."

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said flags at city hall had been lowered to half-mast as a sign of respect for Horgan.

"I’m deeply saddened to hear that former Premier John Horgan has passed away. He was a champion for our province and a compassionate leader who treated everyone with respect and kindness," Hurley said in a statement.

"On a personal level, I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with Premier Horgan and to have enjoyed a wonderful friendship. John’s leadership was integral to the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment project — an incredible legacy which will greatly improve the lives of countless British Columbians for generations to come. 

"On behalf of the entire Burnaby community, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Horgan family and his many friends during this difficult time."

Federal NDP leader and Burnaby South MP Jagmeet Singh said he is heartbroken to lose Horgan.

"He was an incredible leader and a dear friend — a pillar of our movement — who made life better for working people," Singh wrote on X.

"John always put the needs of others first.

"I am heartbroken to lose him.

"Rest in peace my friend."

With files from Cindy E. Harnett, Times Colonist