Former BC Premier John Horgan was remembered at a memorial service

A provincial memorial service for former BC Premier John Horgan is being held Sunday afternoon.

Horgan, who led the BC government from 2017 to 2022, died on Nov. 12 at age 65.

The service is being held at the Q Center in Colwood, B.C., southeast of Horgan's home community of Langford on southern Vancouver Island.

CBC News is serving live on CBC News B.C., CBC gem and cbc.ca/bc, as well as at TikTok and YouTube. It started at 1pm PT.

Horgan's provincial state memorial service was led by Rev. Dr. Keith Howard, Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Prime Minister David Abby and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Other dignitaries are also present.

Members of the public were required to purchase a ticket to attend the provincial memorial service.

Horgan was remembered for his love of sports and Star Trek, and his sense of humor.

Austin said Horgan's “litany of gran-worthy dad jokes” endeared him to many in B.C. during his premiership.

“I loved his kindness and good intentions that he brought to his work and his interactions with everyone,” she told Seva. “Despite his many contributions and achievements, he remained remarkably without arrogance.”

His death has plunged the political sector and the entire state into grief announced The public will be able to sign a book of condolence from November 14 until the day after his memorial service.

Horgan was first elected to the BC legislature in 2005 and became leader of the NDP in 2014, representing Langford.

Among the thousands of people who flocked to the Q Center — home of Horgan's beloved Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team — were a series of current and former NDP politicians, including current Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar.

Parmar said he credits Horgan with first meeting him at school two decades ago and inspiring him to get into politics.

“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for John,” he told CBC News.

“And again, it's going to be the simple things that I'm going to remember. His relationships with people, zero ego … his humor.”

'People's Prime Minister'

Horgan has a strong legacy as a leader who can work across the political aisle. After retiring as Prime Minister, he was appointed Canada's ambassador to Germany.

Politically, the former premier's legacy will be defined by bringing the BC NDP to power for two terms and passing a range of austerity policies amid rising costs of living and multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and major flooding and wildfire disasters. .

“What John really brought to the table was the ability to say everybody has a good idea,” Carol James, another former leader of the BC NDP and a longtime friend of Horgan's, told the CBC. on the island.

“He was certainly a strong New Democrat and believed in the same values ​​that New Democrats do. But … he also recognized that good ideas can come from anywhere and he told us that often as a caucus.”

James said Horgan liked to connect with people, and described him as a “people's premier” who helped the public see politicians in a different light.