Provincial memorial service to be held for former B.C. premier John Horgan
Memorial service for Horgan, who died at 65, will be held on Dec. 15 at the Q Centre in Colwood, B.C.
The B.C. government has announced that a memorial service will be held on Dec. 15 for former premier John Horgan.
In a statement on Tuesday, the province said the service would be held at the Q Centre in Colwood, B.C., just southeast of Horgan's home community of Langford on southern Vancouver Island.
Horgan died at the age of 65 on Nov. 12 after three bouts of cancer. The former premier led the B.C. government from 2017 to 2022.
His death 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.
The government says Horgan's provincial state memorial service will be led by Rev. Dr. Keith Howard and Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Premier David Eby and other dignitaries will be attending.
"The public is welcome to attend. Information about how members of the public can obtain entry will be released in the coming days," the statement says.
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.
Politically, the former premier's legacy will be defined by bringing the B.C. NDP's two terms in power and passing a range of affordability policies amid the spiking cost of living and several crises, including COVID-19 and the aftermath of major flooding and wildfire disasters.