John Horgan resigns, David Eby to become next B.C. Premier
Posted October 26, 2022 3:35 pm.
Last Updated October 26, 2022 4:36 pm.
British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor, Janet Austin, has accepted John Horgan’s resignation, paving the way for David Eby to become the province’s next premier.
On Wednesday afternoon, Austin accepted Horgan’s advice that Eby become B.C’s next premier and form government.
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The B.C. government says the official swearing-in ceremony will happen in the “near future” at some point during the current session of the legislature, which ends in November.
While speaking with the media after his meeting with Austin, Eby acknowledged how unusual the transition process has been so far.
“Usually a government would adjourn a legislative session for transition to take place. That’s not what we’ve done. We have this session happening right now while the transition is also happening. So my goal is to be sworn in as Premier and be able to sit in the legislature during this session to be accountable in that way,” he said.
The premier designate says some of his top priorities, once sworn in, will surround housing and public safety.
“My goal over the next few weeks will be to work through with our team what the world of the possible is and to do my best to get into the legislature before the end of the session in order to be able to deliver on these goals,” Eby said.
A statement from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor says Austin “extends her sincerest gratitude to the Honorable John Horgan for his many years of service to the Province.”
A statement from the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia: pic.twitter.com/cI4bz3dTm5
— Janet Austin (@LGJanetAustin) October 26, 2022
Eby will become the province’s 37th premier overall, and sixth from the NDP. He will be replacing Horgan — the longest-serving NDP premier — who announced in the summer he will be stepping down.
Last week, Eby became the leader of the BC NDP after his only challenger, Anjali Appadurai, was disqualified from the race.
With files from Martin MacMahon.
