British Columbia

NDP Leader John Horgan to be sworn in as B.C. premier July 18

NDP Leader John Horgan will officially be sworn in as the 36th premier of British Columbia on July 18. The premier-designate will be sworn in alongside his new cabinet in a ceremony at Government House in Victoria.

The swearing in at Government House in Victoria will also include the new cabinet

British Columbia NDP Leader John Horgan walks back to his office after question period at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday June 29, 2017. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

NDP Leader John Horgan will officially be sworn in as the 36th premier of British Columbia on July 18. The premier-designate will be sworn in alongside his new cabinet in a ceremony at Government House in Victoria.

"We are excited to deliver on our commitments. That's why we are working as quickly as possible to give British Columbians the new leadership they voted for," said NDP MLA Carole James in a statement.

The NDP has not released any details on the expected  size of the cabinet. But as part of the Green-NDP alliance, the two sides committed to a dedicated minister responsible for implementing a mental health and addiction strategy.

The swearing-in means Horgan will not be attending the Council of the Federation meetings in Edmonton. The meetings between Canada's premiers and the prime minister are taking place from July 17 to 19.

Horgan was expected to be questioned by national media, Alberta premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over his commitment to stop the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The NDP leader is still expected to go to Ottawa this summer to meet with Trudeau one-on-one.

Outgoing Premier Christy Clark will continue to serve until Horgan is officially sworn in. Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon asked Horgan to govern after Clark lost the confidence of the legislature last Thursday.