Last month John Horgan took over the reigns of the BCNDP from Adrian Dix. First elected in 2005, Horgan has been active in the party from a young age. He now serves as MLA for the Vancouver Island constituency of Juan de Fuca.

Vancouver-Kingsway executive member Al Warner recently attended events welcoming Horgan to the leadership post, and prepared this report: 

"I recently attend two events to honour new provincial NDP leader John Horgan. On May 1 joined a celebration at the Electric Owl club on Main Street just after it became official that no one was going to run against John, and that he would be acclaimed our new leader.

The highlights of the night included a very good speech by John and a bag of gifts from an official from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which included a reflective work vest, a hard-hat, and work boots to represent the work John will have to do over the next three years.

Then, I attended a May 4 inauguration rally at the Renaissance Hotel in Vancouver – a fitting name given the rebirth that John’s leadership will bring to the NDP. Hundreds of people were in attendance and there was a lot of energy in the room. Good speeches from all, including event co-chairs, MLAs Michelle Mungall and David Eby, young MLA Jane Shin and BC NDP President Craig Keating.

John talked about his upbringing and his father’s death when he was very young, and how his mother and sisters had raised him. He mentioned that public services played a role in his life and they are very important still, explaining that a very good teacher and community sports helped shape his life. He also introduced Elly, his wife of 30 years, and talked about how important family really is for him, and how it’s not just a Liberal campaign slogan to be used before taking away services for single moms.

John received loud applause for the generous words he had for other party leaders: he spoke of Adrian Dix’s great energy and the big shoes he would have to fill, and of the leadership of his fellow Islander, Carole James. He also acknowledged Mike Farnworth for always putting the unity of the party first.

The room was packed and diverse and the music clappable -- and even though he had promised his wife that he would not cry or tell jokes, John had a little tear at one point and used humour several times throughout the evening. He said he was looking forward to travelling all over BC and meeting many people, while also looking forwards to Question Period in the legislature where he could challenge Christy Clark and the Liberal government. It was a very good rally!"

Watch John Horgan speaking at the rally.