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Good afternoon. 

We all gather here today, by the thousands, because there is so much to admire about John – as a dad, husband, leader, and friend.

Although part of me still insists he's not actually gone. He's just pining for the fjords.

Combining progressive values, pragmatism, wisdom, and compassion, he never shied away from challenges.

But above all, he had an extraordinary sense of humour – something which was evident from our first meeting in Ottawa, after he became Premier.

There’s a story he loved to tell about that day, and I know some of you have heard it once or twice.

As John told it and retold it and retold it, he was a bit nervous. I couldn’t see it, but it became clearer once we started the joint news conference.

With the media assembled in front of us, he was asked a slightly uncomfortable question about a certain piece of pipeline infrastructure which was a topic of some disagreement between the two of us. 

Well, starting his answer, he raised his hand – about to get into an animated response – and knocked over his glass of water, spilling it all over the lectern and onto the floor. 

Without missing a beat, John looked up and deadpanned, “spills can happen anywhere.”

Of course, not to be outdone, I said “no, no, no. People will clean that up. Don’t worry.”

And he turns to me, with a smile, and says something like “that is a federal area of responsibility.” 

I gave up.

That was John. Quick-witted. Brilliant. But unflinching in his values and beliefs.

One of the things that made John such an exceptional man was his ability to united people – to bring them together – in the pursuit of the greater good.

And at no time is that truer than during the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, John stepped up as Chair of the Council of the Federation to save lives.

But more than that, he recognized the cracks in our healthcare systems that the pandemic exposed.

And he spearheaded an effort to land a new deal between the federal government and provinces over healthcare funding.

Now, as decades of federal and provincial history has shown, that’s no small thing. But John was determined in the way only he can be.

So, one brisk late autumn evening in Victoria, the two of us together sat down in a lounge in the legislature, ordered what would prove to be too many pizzas and too few beers, and we talked as friends and partners about the future.

I felt John’s vision and passion for a stronger, healthier Canada all through that evening. And after a long night, we got a deal done.

Oh, it would take months for the officials and ministers to put to paper the $200 billion for family doctors. For mental health support. For reducing backlogs. For better data. 

But it was John that made it happen that night.

That was one of his last acts as Premier. And I can’t think of a better legacy for all Canadians than that – when he stepped down as Premier. 

Having seen his ability to be flexible and pragmatic, but also fierce and principled.

Entrusting him with the role of His Excellency the Ambassador to one of our greatest allies, Germany, was a no-brainer.

John lived an accomplished life. He was Chief of Staff Horgan. He was Premier Horgan. He was His Excellency, Ambassador Horgan. 

But to the people lucky enough to have known him – to the people of British Columbia who greatly admired him and who he so clearly loved back – he will always be John from Langford.

John – it was an incredible joy and privilege to have worked alongside you. But more than anything, it was an honour to call you my friend.

Thank you, my friend.