As NDP MLAs were sworn into office Wednesday, they sported green ribbons in honour of John Horgan, a proud Irishman and “super fan” of the Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team.
Outside the walls of the legislature, tributes continued to pour in for the former premier, who served in the role from 2017-2022 and died on Tuesday after battling cancer.
Last spring, Horgan resigned his Langford-Juan de Fuca seat and was later appointed Canada’s ambassador to Germany.
Treated in a Berlin hospital for nearly five months, Horgan flew home to Vancouver Island two weeks ago and died at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Langford-Highlands NDP MLA Ravi Parmar, who now represents the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding Horgan held since 2005, didn’t just have a green ribbon — he was sworn into office wearing a green-and-white Shamrocks jersey — something his mentor wore just about anywhere he could.
In a speech after the 47 NDP caucus members were sworn in, Premier David Eby said he felt like Horgan was “here with us.”
“And we know that if he was, he’d be clapping and cheering the loudest for all of you,” said Eby.
Shamrocks owner Jim Hartshorne said Horgan wore his Shamrocks hat in photos around the globe — from Cuba to Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, the Demilitarized Zone in Korea and the Great Wall of China.
“It meant a lot to me. It was a wonderful thing,” said the 75-year-old West Shore businessman and developer. “We have lots of hats but he wanted one in particular and, frankly, he’s got a big head and so we had to order this hat for him.”
A decades-long friend, Hartshorne said Horgan’s love of lacrosse dates back to when his father Pat, who died when Horgan was an infant, did timing in the penalty box for the team. Later, Horgan’s single mom enrolled Horgan in lacrosse.
Hartshorne said Horgan was a very knowledgeable lacrosse “superfan” who had a “crazy interest” in the sport.
He said Horgan not only did much for Langford, “his pride and joy,” but everything he could to promote the lacrosse team, including attending every game as a season-ticket holder, shutting down meetings and flying home from Ottawa to watch a Mann Cup and bringing the trophy to the legislature.
Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said Wednesday the former premier was a true fan. “It wasn’t something he was doing for publicity or some kind of gimmick or whatever,” said Welch. “As we say with the Shamrocks, we bleed green, and John definitely bled green.”
Welch said Horgan conducted his whole life “with passion and vigor and and humility and grace.”
“He was a one-of-a-kind guy and we were very fortunate as just a little lacrosse team to have a guy so passionate about us, a guy with such a high profile,” said Welch, adding everyone is ”still reeling” from the loss.
“Even though we knew he was sick and he was in a really tough spot, it still comes as a jolt when you hear he’s gone and so everybody’s just kind of coming to grips with that.”
Welch said the team, which marks its 75th anniversary next year, will “definitely” do something to honour Horgan.
The people of Langford are also trying to find creative ways to pay tribute to their popular former MLA.
Steven Rossander posted a mock-up on Facebook depicting the new and as yet unnamed Langford University with the name “John Horgan University of Langford,” which received a thumbs-up from about 200 people and an endorsement from former Langford mayor Stew Young.
Among the many tributes on Wednesday was one from the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, which said in a statement that Horgan’s compassion and commitment to justice “have left a bright legacy and a mark on this province and beyond.”
The group said when Horgan became Leader of the Opposition in 2014, he prioritized reconciliation and when he became premier in 2017, it sparked “an immediate shift in First Nations-government relations.”
That collaboration eventually led to the passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in 2019
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said Horgan built relationships with First Nations leaders grounded in “mutual respect, sincerity and trust,” and understood that true reconciliation requires more than symbolic gestures.
Phillip said the union is committed to seeing his vision through “by continuing to push for the full implementation of the Declaration Act across all levels of government.”
UBCIC vice-president Chief Don Tom said while they had significant differences on a number of issues over the years, the union and premier worked to find common understanding.
“His openness to our perspectives and his ability to listen with respect and empathy was transformative,” said Tom.
Passage of the Declaration Act raised the bar for governments across Canada and the world, he said.
Horgan’s former press secretary Sheena McConnell, speaking for the family, said Wednesday it’s too early to say when the funeral will be, as details have yet to be worked out with Horgan’s family.
For anyone who wants to write a message of sympathy for Horgan, a book of condolences is available online, and in the Hall of Honour at the B.C. legislature on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., beginning Thursday at 10 a.m.
The books will remain available to sign until the day after his memorial service, which has yet to be determined.
All messages will be presented to Horgan’s family, according to the office of the premier.
