Former B.C. premier John Horgan has died at the age of 65, CBC News has confirmed.
In June this year, Horgan told CBC that he had been diagnosed with cancer for a third time during a routine followup appointment for his previous throat cancer.
Horgan went on leave from his position as Canada’s ambassador to Germany at the time.
He is survived by his wife, Ellie, and their two sons Evan and Nate.
In a statement posted to X by Horgan’s long-time friend and press secretary Sheena McConnell, the Horgan family said he passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria on Tuesday morning.
“Our hearts are broken to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, John Horgan,” the statement reads.
“The wellbeing of British Columbia and everyone in it was everything to him.
“Live long and prosper,” the statement concludes, with a nod to Horgan’s love of Star Trek.
Former B.C. premier John Horgan has died at the age of 65, CBC News has confirmed. Horgan went on leave from his position as Canada’s ambassador to Germany in June of this year after being diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
Born and raised in Victoria, Horgan was first elected to the B.C. Legislature for the provincial NDP in 2005.
He became premier in 2017, holding the province’s top job until 2022, when he announced he would be stepping down. He cited his health and lack of energy as the primary reason.
Horgan left his seat as a member of the legislative assembly the following spring.
Horgan ‘believed in the power of public service’: Trudeau
During his time in office, Horgan eliminated the medical services plan premium and pushed B.C. to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. He saw the province through the COVID-19 pandemic, several devastating wildfires and floods, and a worsening toxic drug crisis.
Former premier Glen Clark told CBC’s BC Today host Michelle Eliot that Horgan was warm, authentic and genuine.
“He wasn’t a phony politician,” Clark said. “He was of course very quick, very smart and told a lot of dad jokes.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Horgan as Canada’s ambassador to Germany in November 2023.
Trudeau expressed his condolences in a statement posted to social media.
“John Horgan believed in the power of public service. He saw it as a privilege, as a way to help others and to make our country better. He loved British Columbia. As premier, he had a tenacity, passion and dedication for his work that very few could match.
“He always believed that we would get more done if we worked together.”
The former premier was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2008. He was declared cancer free after surgery and treatment.
Horgan was again diagnosed with cancer in late 2021 when a mass on his throat was found to be cancerous.
Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
“It is the third instance of cancer I have had but I remain confident and hopeful that I will again live long and prosper,” he said in a June statement.
‘John loved this province and its people’: Eby
Premier David Eby said in a statement Tuesday that the flag at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria will be lowered to half-mast in Horgan’s honour.
He described Horgan as a “consequential premier at a critical time in our history.”
“The news of John Horgan’s passing this morning in Victoria leaves us with heavy hearts,” Eby said. “John loved this province and its people. He sought to address injustice wherever he saw it — using his time in office to help build a better, stronger British Columbia for everyone.”
