The Premier of British Columbia will not seek re-election, and will step down as leader of the BCNDP once a new leader is chosen.
John Horgan made the announcement Tuesday following cabinet meetings at the halfway point of the provincial government’s current mandate.
Horgan says a second bout with cancer and dozens of radiation treatments has led him to take stock as the party prepares to move into the 2024 election cycle.
He says he is cancer free and has energy, but concedes this may not be the case two years from now.
“I am not able to make another six-year commitment to this job,” Horgan declares. “I have asked the president of the BCNDP to work with our governing body, the provincial council and the executive, to select a date in the fall for a leadership convention.”
Horgan will remain as Premier until a new leader is chosen, he says he is making this announcement now to allow government to focus on the future.
“I want to, by making this announcement today, get us focused on talking about the future,” says Horgan. “That involves ensuring we’re putting in place programs to protect people from the spike in inflation, to address the issues that are before us and to address the issues that we have not yet imagined.”
Horgan has served as BC’s Premier since 2017, he led the BCNDP to its largest ever majority government in the province’s history in his 2020 election victory.
View a statement from Horgan, and a video of Tuesday’s announcement, below:
“Over the last couple of days, our cabinet has met to seek solutions to the challenges people face in British Columbia.
“These include the high cost of living and the stresses on primary care. Working to make life better for people is why we are here and that continues to be my focus.
“As we reach the mid-point of our second term, it is clear the tasks ahead of us are enormous and will require a leader focused on the next two years and beyond. A second bout with cancer and dozens of radiation treatments has led me to take stock.
“I am proud to say I’m cancer free. While I have a lot of energy, I must acknowledge this may not be the case two years from now.
“Therefore, I have decided not to run again in the next election.
“Once again, I want to thank the health-care professionals who helped me through this journey. They do incredible work under difficult circumstances.
“I also want to thank the many British Columbians – from every walk of life and from all political persuasions – who offered their best wishes.
“I will stay on as Premier until my successor is chosen. I will continue to do my level best to make politics work for people. This includes pushing the federal government to fund their fair share of health-care costs so we can make our public health-care system work better for everyone.
“I am looking forward to reconnecting with my neighbours as the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
“Being Premier is not a job I ever expected to have, yet it’s been the honour of my life.
“In the last five years, we’ve accomplished a lot by working together and caring for each other. The work continues.”
– John Horgan – Premier of British Columbia (Article includes files from Province of British Columbia)
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