Former B.C. Premier John Horgan has been diagnosed and is battling cancer for the third time and is in the hospital, B.C.’s health minister said Tuesday.
He has taken a leave from his current position as Canada’s ambassador to Germany to receive medical care.
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During a press conference, Minister of Health Adrian Dix confirmed Horgan is in hospital in Berlin receiving treatment. The Premier’s office has confirmed he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
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On social media, Premier David Eby said “I know these two things, John is a fighter and all British Columbians are pulling for him to make a speedy recovery. Sending our love and support to Ellie and the boys.”
BC United leader Kevin Falcon took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to send his thoughts on the diagnosis.
“My thoughts are with former Premier John Horgan and his wife Ellie in this difficult time. On behalf of our entire BC United Caucus, I want to wish him a speedy and complete recovery in this fight against cancer,” Falcon wrote.
B.C. Green MLA Adam Olsen addressed Horgan’s diagnosis Tuesday morning as well.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he continues and does as he always does, very courageous person, he’ll battle this courageously,” Olsen said.
Horgan was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021 while serving as premier.
During 35 sessions of radiation at the Victoria Cancer Clinic, Horgan said he lost about 25 pounds.
READ MORE: B.C. Premier John Horgan makes first public appearance since cancer treatment
He stepped down as premier in 2022, saying the cancer treatment was taking a physical toll. At the time he said he didn’t blame cancer for his decision to take a step back.
“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, British Columbia, it has truly been the thrill of my life. I’ve done my best to not let you down,” Horgan said on June 28, 2022. “There have been days when things have gone well and there have been days that things didn’t go well. That’s the nature of the human condition and I am honoured to have had the opportunity.”
Horgan was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as ambassador to Germany in November 2023. Since then he has been living in Berlin with his wife Ellie.
In 2008 Horgan was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and was later declared cancer-free after surgery and treatment.
Mackenzie Read
