(Image credit: the Canadian Press).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: John Horgan will leave with a mixed legacy as B.C.’s premier

Jun 29, 2022 | 4:50 AM

WHEN POLITICIANS RETIRE — just as when they die — the general rule is that we ignore the things we didn’t like about them and talk about the good they’ve done.

But let’s be candid about John Horgan, who announced yesterday he’ll step aside as premier in the fall.

He says he just doesn’t have the energy he needs for the job anymore, after undergoing grueling radiation treatments for cancer. He deserves credit for putting his health, and his family, ahead of politics.

Horgan will leave the BC NDP in good shape but with a mixed legacy as premier. 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.

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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’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.