Like many of you, I am saddened by John Horgan only getting 65 years. He filled them with meaning and influence, but it doesn’t seem enough for anyone, never mind someone who put so much into the people around him. He was a man of principle and natural leadership. He brought meaningful change to the province, including the adoption of DRIPA and CleanBC, and it was his steady leadership though COVID-19 and his efforts to address affordability that most impacted our community. He supported healthcare workers, brought in tougher renter protections, and kept our regional transit system fully funded through a pandemic. Those were big moves that helped the most vulnerable in New West and province-wide.
However, watching the media (social and anti-social) over the last few days, you can’t help but be uplifted by the many stories of people whose lives were touched by him in more personal ways. I wrote a bit about how he made a personal connection with me in my Newsletter this week (Subscribe here!) but in this space I just want to share a few of my own photos that popped out of my archive.
So young, so impressionable. This was at a Labour Day event in Burnaby, and judging by my lapel I was running for Council for the first time, and he had just become leader of the BC NDP.A couple of years later at the UBCM conference in Whistler. The UBCM crowd can be tough on Premiers – local governments are always disappointed by perceived or real lack of Provincial supports. John showed up with smiles, straight talk, and a keen ear to our concerns.There are a few photos circulating of John in a ‘Bellies Jersey. He wore it to be sporting after a bet with Judy Darcy, but John was the consummate Shamrocks fan. Here he is at a ‘Bellies Game, wearing his home colours, and showing off his Honourary Shamrock Mann Cup Ring.A quip so good, I got the Pin. When John stunned Andrew Wilkinson during a televised debate with the line “If you were woke, you’d know Pro Rep is Lit!”. Both stunningly out of character yet right on the money. And for the record, Pro Rep is lit, we just aren’t woke enough yet.I love this photo. The Day Premier Horgan was sworn into office, the Legislature was opened to the public, they were handing out icecream bars, it felt like the most gentle and hopeful day of revolution. And John was out front on the lawn, meeting people , getting selfies, having conversations and just enjoying the hell out of a day of seeing people smile. This is the gregarious, generous, and open guy I will always remember – doing one more little thing (taking the selfie) to make others happy. Rest in peace, my friend.
