COLWOOD, B.C. — Hundreds are gathering at an arena today in Colwood, B.C., to celebrate the life of former British Columbia premier John Horgan.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and B.C. Premier David Eby are attending the ceremony.

NDP Energy Minister Adrian Dix paid tribute to Horgan on his way into the arena.

“We were great friends,” said Dix. “He was the MC at my wedding. It’s a hard day.”

Former NDP premier Mike Harcourt, who was using the assistance of a walker, is attending the service, along with fellow former New Democrat premier Dan Miller.

Also among the former and current New Democrats lining up to attend the service are: George Heyman, Brenda Bailey, Bruce Ralston, Harry Bains, Rachna Singh, Maurine Karagianis and Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the legislature.

Trudeau, Eby, and Carole James, a former B.C.NDP leader and longtime Horgan friend, are expected to speak at the memorial.

Former NDP premier Glen Clark is also at the memorial.

Horgan stepped down in November 2022 after five years as premier, left politics a few months later, then was quickly appointed the ambassador to Germany in November 2023.

But just eight months into his new post, he announced he had cancer for a third time, this time thyroid cancer, after being treated for throat cancer while he was premier and bladder cancer in 2008.

He died on Nov. 12 at the age of 65.

His memorial is being held at the Q Centre, which holds about 4,000 people, with family, friends, co-workers and members of the public attending.

Those who wanted to be at the memorial were asked by the government to reserve free tickets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2024.

Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press