Laughter and tears mark funeral for former B.C. premier John Horgan

The Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team paid their respects to one of their biggest fans Sunday, commencing the procession of dignitaries and family at the state funeral for B.C.’s longest serving NDP premier, John Horgan.

Horgan died last month from cancer at the age of 65.

Among those dignitaries were past and present B.C. premiers, former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Saskatchewan Conservative premier Scott Moe, NDP Federal leader Jagmeet Singh, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who shared remarks with the thousands who gathered at the Q Centre in Colwood.

There was "so much to admire about John as a dad, leader, husband and friend,” Trudeau remarked while addressing the crowd Sunday.

Trudeau described Horgan as quick witted, brilliant and “unflinching in his beliefs", and credited the 36th premier with negotiating federal fund one fall night over pizza and beers at the legislature in Victoria.

“It was a honour to call you my friend,” said an emotional Trudeau.

Current B.C. premier David Eby remembered a mentor, and Horgan being the rarest of politicians.

“He left politics more popular than when he entered,” said Eby with a smile.

Horgan was premier for more than five years from 2017 through to 2022, before being appointed Canada's ambassador to Germany after stepping down from office.

He leaves a legacy of eliminating medical service premiums, enshrining Indigenous rights in B.C. Laws and steering the province through the pandemic, record floods and wildfires, but his common touch and decency are what were celebrated by so many who came to pay their respects to the man called the “peoples’ premier.”

The former Langford MLA leaves behind a wife of 40 years, Ellie, and two adult sons.

His eldest son, Nate, was tearful as he played guitar and sang a musical tribute to his dad that featured his trademark "live long and prosper" sign from Star Trek, one of Horgan’s quirky passions.

“I’ll see your hand make the salute, to prosper and live long,” he sang fighting back tears.

The man who brought the NDP out of the wilderness after 16 years, and won the party’s biggest majority after calling a snap in 2020 famously preferred the title 'John from Langford', his hometown and home riding, to any fancy moniker.

His other son Evan, who was the last person to speak with him, relayed his dad’s parting message.

“Tell them, I did my level best.," he said.

For those assembled at his funeral, and many more across the province who mourned his passing, there was no doubt, John Horgan had done just that.