EDITORIAL – Despite some warts, John Horgan is a tough act to follow

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

WHEN THE NEWS came of John Horgan’s death yesterday (Nov. 12, 2024), there quickly followed examinations by the pundits, as well as his former colleagues and opponents, of his record as premier.

Horgan was only 65 when he succumbed to cancer. He was much too young. He should have had many more years of service and of personal enjoyment of life. Since he resigned as premier a couple of years ago, he’s been serving as Canada’s ambassador to Germany.

I began thinking about his accomplishments and failures, as we all have since yesterday. It’s a mixed legacy. I finally decided to do a check of my own past thoughts on the matter, and looked up an editorial I wrote for CFJC-TV after he resigned from the top job in B.C.’s government and handed the reins over to David Eby. Rather than rehash those thoughts, here’s a verbatim excerpt that I think sums it up quite well.

“He brought the party back from some dark political days and somehow defeated the BC Liberals, though it was an extremely narrow, minority victory that first time. And while his popularity has waned slightly, he remains one of the most highly rated premiers in the country.

“People don’t seem to mind his occasional temper tantrums, even when he uses less-than Parliamentary language. He put together a solid record on the Indigenous file, the environment and ethics in government, and championed the trades.

“Though he gave the spotlight to Dr. Bonnie Henry, his government’s response to the pandemic was effective.

“His record is, by no means, spotless. His erosion of Freedom of Information access was inexcusable. And no one will forget his now-paused plan to spend hundreds of millions on a new provincial museum that nobody asked for.

“More than that, though, British Columbians will remember him for proving that being a good premier doesn’t mean you can’t be a cynical one. I’m speaking of his decision to ditch his working agreement with the Greens two years ago and call an election just because he knew he could win.

“Though he emerged with a commanding majority, his claim that the election was needed for ‘political stability’ was a total crock.

“Despite the warts, though, Horgan will be a tough act to follow for the NDP.”

I should have added to the list his success, with Eby as his righthand man, in bringing ICBC under control, and elaborated on his progress in reconciliation even before it became so politically popular. As for the environment, his record was sometimes spotty, highlighted by his flip flop on Site C.

But one thing everyone seems to agree on was his style. It wasn’t a style, really, it was just him. Though he hdid have quite the temper at times, he was generally an agreeable and candid fellow. People liked him — though his popularity fluctuated a little, his rating remained high overall.

Horgan visited Kamloops often. I remember having coffee with him during one of those visits at the Tim’s on Columbia, way too early in the morning. It was before he took over as leader and I have absolutely no recollection of what the interview was about.

What I do remember is the ease of the conversation. He was a pleasure to talk to, friendly, and he laughed easily. That was my first impression of him and it was one that endured.

In the Legislature, of course, he could get pretty heated up, even dropping an F-bomb on one occasion when the other side was bugging him about something.

In general, though, he had full control of government and of the provincial budget. A lot of people probably wish he was still premier instead of David Eby.

He will, indeed, be a tough act to follow.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.