United Steelworkers union mourns John Horgan

Statement from Scott Lunny, Western Canada Director, United Steelworkers (USW), on the passing today of John Horgan:

It is with great sadness that the United Steelworkers mourns the death of former British Columbia Premier John Horgan, a friend to our union and a steadfast advocate for the rights and dignity of all workers.

Throughout his political career, when he was on the Opposition benches, just as when he was leading British Columbia’s New Democratic government, John Horgan stood for fairness and greater equality for working families and the most-vulnerable in our society. 

As Premier, John and his government brought meaningful, progressive change, including making it easier for workers to join unions so they could negotiate better working and living standards. Under John’s leadership, the BC NDP introduced paid sick days and domestic and sexual violence leave for workers, eliminated medical services premiums, boosted investments in public health care, implemented the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada, and adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

We extend our deepest condolences to John’s wife Ellie, their sons Evan and Nate, and his many friends and loved ones.

Rest in power, Brother.

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