As he seeks to become leader of B.C.’s New Democrats, John Horgan says he will embrace the outreach to the business community that proved politically perilous for ousted NDP leader Carole James.
Indeed, the NDP energy critic’s key appointment Tuesday is a meeting with B.C. Business Council – a previously scheduled discussion about energy policy that will likely change in tone because of his official entry into the leadership race.
The Juan de Fuca MLA, first elected in 2005, said he will continue Ms. James’s bid to work with business, although even Ms. James acknowledged the effort was unpopular with some New Democrats.
“I’m going to continue along that road,” Mr. Horgan said Monday hours before a rally at which he launched his campaign. “I supported Carole’s view and vision for the B.C. economy. In fact, I am going to dial it up a little bit.”
“My vision for B.C. includes a vibrant private sector, but it also includes provision of public services and, in order to pay for that, you need to ensure that your tax system is fair and balanced.”
The 51-year-old former federal NDP caucus staffer has been cast as the first of the heavyweights to enter the race ahead of other key players – MLA’s Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth, expected to join this week. Mr. Horgan already has the support of two MLAs, Maurine Karagianis (Esquimalt-Royal Roads) and Scott Fraser (Alberni-Pacific Rim).
Overall, Mr. Horgan is the fourth candidate to announce. MLAs Nicholas Simons and Harry Lali, as well as marijuana activist Dana Larsen, previously entered the race, which ends with an April 17 vote.
Mr. Horgan said he is still working on specifics of his platform. “My dialogue is a practical approach that says, ‘If you want business to prosper, you have to pay your fair share, and you have to recognize when we bring people up everybody benefits.’ It’s not to tear down business by any stretch of the imagination.”
The former federal civil servant dismissed the political risk in light of Ms. James’s expressed concerns that her outreach to business was fuelling dissension against her.
“I don’t have any expectation that the people I have lunch with tomorrow at the business council will take out NDP memberships, and vote for me to be leader of the NDP,” he said.
“But I do have an expectation that if they want to continue to prosper in British Columbia that they recognize that the rules of engagement involve ensuring all British Columbians in all corners of this province, rural, urban and suburban, are reflected in the work that they do, and the portions of taxes they pay.”
Jock Finlayson, the council’s executive policy vice-president, said Mr. Horgan was free to talk about anything at the meeting.
“As an organization, we do feel we need to have a constructive dialogue, not just with government, but with the official opposition as well. We have always had that view,” said Mr. Finlayson.
Mr. Horgan is notable as the first of Ms. James’s caucus supporters to enter the leadership race. After seven years, she stepped down over criticisms from a so-called baker’s dozen of disaffected MLAs.
Mr. Horgan, drawing on his past interest in playing soccer, lacrosse and basketball, said he was hoping common purpose will knit the caucus back together. “I’ve found you don’t necessarily always get along with your teammates, but you find ways to work with them, and to produce a positive result.”
He said he won’t shy away from the unions that have been the backbone of the party. “I am a social democrat, have been for 25 years. That’s not going to change.”
Mr. Horgan steered clear of Mr. Lali’s attack on gender-equity policies for NDP candidates, noting that he will await a party assessment of the policies. Mr. Lali said he was standing up for “older, white males” who might have been excluded from the party.
“I have to say to Harry that as a quintessential old white guy, I have never felt excluded in the B.C. NDP,” said Mr. Horgan.
Although diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2008, Mr. Horgan said he is now cancer-free and ready for the grueling campaign ahead.
“My medical team is getting bored with me and that’s a good thing,” he said. “I feel good. I feel strong. I am ready to take on the challenges of leading the opposition and winning the next election.”
