Former premier John Horgan remembered at memorial service for his dad jokes, humility and love of B.C.

A provincial memorial service for former B.C. premier John Horgan is taking place Sunday afternoon.

Horgan, who led the B.C. government from 2017 to 2022, died on Nov. 12 at the age of 65.

The service is being held at the Q Centre in Colwood, B.C., just southeast of Horgan's home community of Langford on southern Vancouver Island.

CBC News is carrying the service live on CBC News B.C., CBC Gem and cbc.ca/bc, as well as on TikTok and YouTube. It began at 1 p.m. PT.

WATCH | Provincial memorial service being held for John Horgan:

Remembering John Horgan

Started 2 hours ago

Live

CBC News broadcasts the state memorial service for John Horgan, the 36th premier of British Columbia, from the Q Centre in Colwood on Vancouver Island.

Horgan's provincial state memorial service is being led by Rev. Dr. Keith Howard, Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Other dignitaries are also attending.

Members of the public were required to get tickets to attend the provincial memorial service.

Horgan was remembered for his love of sports and Star Trek, and his wry sense of humour.

All of the speakers at the gathering, including Horgan's son Evan, shared a series of comedic anecdotes from the former premier.

'Remarkably without ego'

Austin said Horgan's "litany of groan-worthy dad jokes" endeared him to much of B.C. during his premiership.

"I loved his kindness and the good intention he brought to his work and to his interactions with everyone," she told the service. "Despite his many contributions and accomplishments, he remained remarkably without ego."

Trudeau shared an anecdote where Horgan was at a meeting with the federal government, having butted heads with them over the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

When someone spilled a glass of water, Horgan was quick to say, "Spills happen." And when Trudeau said someone would clean it up, Horgan then swiftly added, "That's an area of federal responsibility."

"That was John. Quick-witted. Brilliant. But unflinching in his values and beliefs," Trudeau recounted.

WATCH | Trudeau remembers Horgan:

Trudeau remembers John Horgan's 'compassion' and 'extraordinary sense of humour'

48 minutes ago

Duration 1:39

At John Horgan's memorial service on Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got some laughs when he shared a story about their first meeting in Ottawa after Horgan became B.C. premier.

The NDP stalwart's passing was mourned across the political spectrum, and the province announced the public would be able to sign a book of condolences starting Nov. 14 until the day after his memorial service.

Horgan was first elected to the B.C. Legislature in 2005 and became leader of the NDP in 2014, representing Langford throughout. He would often ride the bus to the Legislature, and would introduce himself as "John from Langford," even during his premiership.

WATCH | Horgan's towering personal legacy:

John Horgan's personal legacy looms as large as his political one

1 month ago

Duration 2:48

Tributes continue to pour in for former B.C. premier John Horgan, who died on Tuesday at the age of 65. As Katie DeRosa reports, those closest to him are remembering 'John from Langford' and his legacy.

Among the thousands of people who came to the Q Centre — home of Horgan's beloved Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team — were a series of current and former NDP politicians, including current Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar.

Parmar said he first met Horgan at school two decades ago, and credited him with inspiring him to run for politics.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for John," he told CBC News.

'People's premier'

Horgan garnered a strong legacy as a leader who could work across the political aisle. After his retirement from the premiership, he was appointed as Canada's ambassador to Germany.

Politically, the former premier's legacy will be defined by bringing the B.C. NDP two terms in power and passing a range of affordability policies amid the spiking cost of living and several crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of major flooding and wildfire disasters.

B.C. Premier David Eby — who took over after Horgan stepped down in 2022 — spoke about how his predecessor often believed in him as a rookie politician.

"He didn't believe in parties. And in a time of of strong, strong politicized partisanship around the world, John was always welcoming," Eby said. "He was always willing to work with people, and he was always prepared to create space for people who made mistakes."

"What John really brought to the table was an ability to say everybody has good ideas," Carole James, another former leader of the B.C. NDP and Horgan's longtime friend, told CBC's On The Island.

"He was, of course, a strong New Democrat and believed in the values that New Democrats do. But … he also recognized that good ideas can come from anywhere and he'd tell us that as caucus often."

James said Horgan loved to connect with people, and described him as the "people's premier" who helped the public see politicians in a different light.