The passing of former NDP Premier John Horgan was felt around Grand Forks as he was on the ground during one of the city's worst tragedies. Horgan, who was Premier from 2017 to 2022, died on Nov.

The passing of former NDP Premier John Horgan was felt around Grand Forks as he was on the ground during one of the city's worst tragedies.

Horgan, who was Premier from 2017 to 2022, died on Nov. 12 at the age of 65 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria after a short battle with thyroid cancer.

His family issued a statement shortly after his passing, reading "the well-being of British Columbia and everyone in it was everything to him. He was surrounded by family and friends and love in his final days."

Horgan is survived by his wife Ellie, and sons Evan and Nate.

In Grand Forks, he arrived shortly after the floods of 2018 devastated the community, offering support and spearheading recovery efforts. Among those was personally announcing the first round of provincial recovery funding to repair flood damage and strengthen flood mitigation.

Premier David Eby also added that he was instrumental in bringing the NDP from the "political wilderness" to leading the province.

"He was accessible. He was fun and funny and, he was called "Premier Dad," and rightly so for myself, he was a coach and a mentor. He was an inspiration to me," said Eby. "He had advice when I needed it."

Horgan, served five terms as a member of the B.C. legislature, resigning his suburban Victoria seat in March of 2023, citing health reasons. Earlier this year, Horgan was appointed ambassador for Canada, but within six months announced he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.