John Horgan has passed away at 65 after a courageous third battle with cancer. A born-and-raised Vancouver Islander, Horgan was a tough and resilient man who will be remembered as a popular, pragmatic premier who brought principles and honesty with him while navigating a changing economic and political landscape. …Horgan’s path to the premier’s office took him across Canada and beyond. …Between attending university as a young man, Horgan worked in a pulp mill in Ocean Falls, a small community on the Central Coast of BC. This experience provided him with real insight into the province’s resource sector and the communities that depended on it then—and still do today. …Forestry was another sector where Horgan made his mark. His approach emphasized sustainability and partnerships with First Nations, while increasing domestic production and reducing log exports. His attempts to modernize forestry had mixed results, but there was no questioning the honesty and good faith he brought to the table. …We will miss John Horgan.
In related coverage by:
- CBC News: John Horgan’s political legacy looms as large as his personal one
- Adam Pankratz in the National Post: John Horgan stood up to green activists. Canada is richer for it
- Mel Rothenburger in ArmchairMayor.ca: Despite some warts, John Horgan is a tough act to follow