A flood of tributes after the death of John Horgan

Tributes to John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia from 2017 to 2022 and Canadian Ambassador to Germany since 2023, are pouring in in the province and across the country. The politician died on Tuesday at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with a third cancer.

His legacy to British Columbia is significantdeclared the current Prime Minister, David Eby. He was the one who pushed through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), among countless other legislative achievements.

In 2019, British Columbia became the first Canadian province to officially implement the DNUDPA through the province’s Indigenous Peoples’ Declaration of Rights Act (DRIPA).

This event has marked historythe First Nations Leadership Council and the province said at the time.

In November 2022, David Eby succeeded John Horgan as leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

John Horgan was then being treated for throat cancer. He was a coach and a mentor. He was a source of inspiration. He had advice to give me when I needed it. He conducted himself with the utmost integrity and brought a spirit of fun to his work that was contagious.

A personality respected by the opposition

British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad wrote on deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Horgan.

John was not only a fellow public servant, but a man of genuine warmth and integrity. Despite our political differences, I always had deep respect for him as a person.

Kevin Falcon, the leader of the BC United party, formerly the BC Liberal Party, posted for the first time on X since his party withdrew from the October election: Even though we were political opposites, I appreciated the personal relationship I had with him. We enjoyed our legislative battles, but also our light-hearted jokes in the hallways.

The former premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017 under the Liberal banner, Christy Clark, mentioned John Horgan’s political commitment: Public life requires everyone’s attention, heart and time. There is no doubt that Mr. Horgan’s commitment to British Columbia and his dedication to public service have left a lasting legacy.

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In 2017, thanks to a pact with the Green Party, John Horgan ended 16 years of Liberal government in British Columbia. THE NPD subsequently gained a majority in the 2020 elections.

Ottawa reagit

Justin Trudeau highlighted John Horgan’s tenacity, passion and dedication.

Through pandemic, wildfires and floods – through everything – he led the province with courage and kindness. He was a true progressive and leader in the areas of climate change, affordable child care and reconciliationwrote the Prime Minister of Canada on X.

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He was an incredible leader and dear friend, a pillar of our movement, who improved the lives of working peoplefor his part affirmed Jagmeet Singh, head of NPD you Canada.

A third cancer

In 2008, John Horgan was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

After surgery and treatment, he was declared cured. Then, in late 2021, he was discovered to have a cancerous mass in his throat.

In June 2024, while serving as Canada’s ambassador to Germany, the former prime minister announced that he had been diagnosed with a third cancer, thyroid, during a follow-up appointment for his previous cancer.

Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s chief medical health officer, said without words after learning of his death. I’m just happy he was able to come home. I have been in contact with him on and off recently and I know the diagnosis was very difficult.

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British Columbians will have the opportunity to offer their condolences to the family and loved ones of John Horgan. More details will be announced in the coming days.