Tributes to former premier John Horgan as B.C. NDP MLAs are sworn in

Former British Columbia premier John Horgan loomed large over the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday for 47 New Democrat members of the legislature, a day after his death.

Songhees Nation elder Butch Dick started the ceremony with a prayer song and offered words of sympathy for the family of Horgan, who died Tuesday at the age of 65 after a third battle with cancer.

Dick said Horgan was a "friend of the people," while legislature Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd paid tribute to Horgan for his service to the people ofB.C.

"I feel like he's here with us," said Premier David Eby, adding that Horgan would likely be laughing and cheering the loudest.

But the premier was also thinking about the business of government and the crop of new legislators onWednesday.

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 "bright lines" the government would not cross.

"The dominant message for the MLAs who are here is that we want to work to make sure that this legislature works for the people ofB.C.," he said at a news conference after the swearing-in ceremony.

"For those MLAs who do want to work with us on those things, then great," said Eby. "For those MLAs that want to work on opposite things, they want to promote hate, racism and division, we've just got no time for that."

Eby did not name any politicians or discuss the "bright lines" in detail.

Last month's election campaign saw the NDP focus on social media comments by severalB.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 "little inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs."

Chapman had also posted his doubts about mass shootings in Canada and the U.S., saying,"They all have sketchy stories."

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad supported Chapman's candidacy despite calls from Eby and Muslim and Indigenous groups he should beremoved from the race.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Eby said he recalled Horgan's message about ensuring the NDP strove to be a government that represents the entire province.

"John's words there certainly resonate for me today and they continue to be a priority," he said. "We need to be a government for the entire province ofB.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."

The NDP caucus only includes five MLAs from outside MetroVancouverandVancouverIsland and none from the province's northern regions.

Eby said he thinks about Horgan's "amazing work," and the personal sacrifices he made on behalf of the people of the province.

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 NDP colleagues.

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

TheB.C. Conservatives won 44 seats, and the Greens two.

Swearing-in ceremonies for the Greens andB.C. Conservatives were held Tuesday at the legislature.

WATCH | B.C. cabinet to be sworn in on Nov. 18:

B.C. premier to swear in new cabinet by Nov. 18

7 days ago

Duration 2:21

Complicated portfolios like housing, health and finance are some of the biggest jobs in government. And Premier David Eby will have his work cut out for him filling those positions along with the rest of his cabinet when the new government is formed. As Katie DeRosa reports, political watchers say Eby's picks will offer a preview of his key priorities.

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.