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John Horgan tributes plentiful as new NDP MLAs sworn in

Premier David Eby is set to introduce his new cabinet Monday
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Premier David Eby walks with newly elected MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat Dana Lajeunesse as they make their way into the legislative assembly for the oath ceremony at the legislature in Victoria, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Premier David Eby said he could sense the spirit of former British Columbia premier John Horgan at a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday for 47 New Democrat members of the legislature.

Horgan died Tuesday of cancer at the age of 65.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like heB次元官网网址檚 here with us,B次元官网网址 said Eby, adding that Horgan would likely be the one laughing and cheering the loudest.

But the premier was also thinking about certain members of the Opposition B.C. Conservative caucus who were sworn in Tuesday.

Eby said the NDP, which will hold a one-seat majority in the legislature, was prepared to work with all MLAs from all parties, but there were B次元官网网址渂right linesB次元官网网址 the government would not cross.

B次元官网网址淭he dominant message for the MLAs who are here is that we want to work to make sure that this legislature works for the people of B.C.,B次元官网网址 he said at a news conference after the swearing-in ceremony.

B次元官网网址淔or those MLAs who do want to work with us on those things, then great,B次元官网网址 said Eby. B次元官网网址淔or those MLAs that want to work on opposite things, they want to promote hate, racism and division, weB次元官网网址檝e just got no time for that.B次元官网网址

Eby did not name any politicians or discuss the B次元官网网址渂right linesB次元官网网址 in detail.

Last monthB次元官网网址檚 election campaign saw the NDP focus on social media comments by several B.C. Conservative candidates.

Eby had previously pointed to comments by Surrey South Conservative member Brent Chapman, who said on Facebook in 2015 that Palestinian children were B次元官网网址渓ittle inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs.B次元官网网址

Chapman had also posted his doubts about mass shootings in Canada and the U.S., saying B次元官网网址渢hey all have sketchy stories.B次元官网网址

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad supported ChapmanB次元官网网址檚 candidacy despite calls for him to be removed from the race from Eby and Muslim and Indigenous groups.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Eby said he recalled HorganB次元官网网址檚 message about ensuring the NDP strove to be a government that represents the entire province.

B次元官网网址淛ohnB次元官网网址檚 words there certainly resonate for me today and they continue to be a priority,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淲e need to be a government for the entire province of B.C., and the priorities of people who live in rural communities need to have the same weight and have the same influence in the chamber, and in our government, as they deserve.B次元官网网址

The NDP caucus only includes five MLAs from outside Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and none from the provinceB次元官网网址檚 northern regions.

Songhees Nation elder Butch Dick started the ceremony with a prayer song and offered words of sympathy for HorganB次元官网网址檚 family.

Dick said Horgan was a B次元官网网址渇riend of the people.B次元官网网址

Legislature Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd paid tribute to Horgan for his service to the people of B.C.

Langford-Highlands MLA Ravi Parmar wore a Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team jersey to honour his longtime friend and mentor who was a lacrosse player and faithful follower of the Shamrocks.

Garry Begg, whose 21-vote victory in Surrey-Guildford gave the NDP a one-seat majority government, was given a standing ovation by friends and his NDP colleagues.

The NDP majority in the 93-seat legislature was only confirmed after recounts that took place weeks after the Oct. 19 election.

The B.C. Conservatives won 44 seats, and the Greens two.

The Greens and B.C. Conservatives were sworn in Tuesday at separate ceremonies at the legislature.

Eby is set to introduce his new cabinet Monday.

He said earlier he would recall the legislature for a short sitting to elect a Speaker.





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