File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Adam Donnelly

BC POLITICS

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA reflects on Premier Horgan’s planned resignation

Jun 28, 2022 | 5:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Tuesday (June 28), John Horgan announced plans to retire from his role as premier of British Columbia.

Premier Horgan underwent cancer treatment last winter, and while he says his health is good now, he says he will not seek re-election in the next provincial election. CFJC Today caught up with Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone for a reaction to the premier’s announcement.

“I’m not able to make another six-year commitment to this job, and as a result, I’ve asked Aaron Sumexheltza, the president of the BC NDP, to work with our governing body to select a date in the fall for a leadership convention.”

With that announcement, John Horgan told the province he plans to step down as premier of British Columbia as soon as the NDP is able to choose a new leader. Horgan has been an MLA for the past 17 years, leader of the BC NDP for the past eight, and premier of the province for the past five years.

“Look, John Horgan is the NDP,” Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone tells CFJC Today. “Recent polls have him 20 points ahead of the popularity of the party he represents, so this is going to be a very interesting transition for the NDP to make because the party really has been all about John Horgan.”

Question of the Week

Have you made changes to your holiday shopping or travel plans because of rising costs?

15h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The icon who is Taylor Swift

Nov 17, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Business owners shouldn't be held responsible for nuisance calls

Nov 15, 2024

Horgan, who is 63, was asked about the timing of the announcement. He says he plans to stay on as premier until his replacement is named, and said this decision creates an opportunity for a new generation to make its mark on BC politics.

“I’ve talked about the need for generational change in our politics,” Horgan explained. “Not just within the NDP, but within all of our political institutions. We need to make space for the next generation to bring forward their ideas and their energy to take on the tasks.”

Stone anticipates many within the NDP’s inner circle to make a play for the leadership of the NDP, as it’s not only the top job for the party — it’s the biggest office in the province.

“I fully expect that there’s going to be a tremendous number of cabinet ministers that are likely going to resign from cabinet, which is the normal practice one does in order to seek the leadership of the party,” Stone explains. “There may be some outsiders from outside the NDP caucus, as well. It’ll probably be a fairly crowded race, again, because the prize is premier of British Columbia.”

While Stone and Horgan have always been on opposite sides of the legislature in Victoria, the Kamloops-South Thompson MLA is appreciative of the premier’s service to BC and believes the two share a common passion.

“The man has served this province with distinction for 17 years as an MLA, and while we may have disagreed on a lot of different policy areas, I think the one area we’ve always agreed on is the love of this province.”