Tuesday, November 2nd
Premier Horgan is well enough to participate in cabinet meetings virtually. An update on his condition is expected in the near future.
Friday, October 29th
Premier John Horgan informed the media yesterday he will be undergoing surgery to remove a lump from his throat..
The Surgery is scheduled for today.
The Premier released this statement on the Office of the Premier website:
“After noticing a lump in my neck, I went to the doctor to get a number of tests over the past few weeks. Those tests have revealed a growth in my throat that requires surgery tomorrow. Any further treatment will be determined after the surgery."
“Out of an abundance of caution, Minister Mike Farnworth is being appointed as Deputy Premier along with his other duties."
"Mike will be there as support if needed, but I will continue in all my roles as Premier, head of the executive council, the current chair of the Council of the Federation."
The lump being removed is not believed at this time to be cancerous but during the initial exam another issue was discovered. A biopsy for the second "concern" will be performed during the removal of the lump.
At the impromptu press conference held yesterday, Horgan said: "The biopsy surgery tomorrow will reveal what exactly we're dealing with, the issue in respect to my neck is benign, but in the investigation of that initial concern of mine, another concern was discovered, and that's what we're dealing with tomorrow."
"It is certainly treatable, as I've been told."
Asked why he's sharing the information now he said,
“It is a small town, I’ll be staying overnight as a result of this surgery and that type of information just doesn’t stay quiet.”
This is not the Premiers' first cancer scare, Horgan underwent surgery and treatment for bladder cancer in 2008 after which he was declared cancer free.
Interim opposition leader Opposition Shirley Bond issued a statement on behalf of the BC Liberal Caucus that reads in part:
"Today’s news comes as a shock to all of us" “On behalf of the entire BC Liberal Caucus and all of my colleagues, I want to send our best wishes to John Horgan and his family.
“You are in our thoughts as we all wish for the best possible outcomes in the medical journey that lies ahead."
Premier John Horgan is 63 years old. He currently lives in Langford on Vancouver Island with his wife Ellie. The father of two was first elected as an MLA in 2005. He became leader of the BC NDP in 2014 and Premier of BC on July 18, 2017.