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Opinion: Premier Horgan's sense of fun sets him apart from other leaders

I have seen many things around the B.C. legislature during the 30 plus years I’ve been stationed there covering B.C. politics, but I’ve never been partly responsible for kicking a cabinet committee out of the historic cabinet chamber.
John Horgan
John Horgan, seen here campaigning in Burnaby during the last provincial election, will be under increasing pressure to ditch the idea of a carbon tax - but columnist Keith Baldrey says he's unlikely to back down.

I have seen many things around the B.C. legislature during the 30 plus years I’ve been stationed there covering B.C. politics, but I’ve never been partly responsible for kicking a cabinet committee out of the historic cabinet chamber.

Until last week, that is.

And my partner in crime was none other than Premier John Horgan.

I am often asked by teachers if I can spare some time to talk to their students when they visit the legislature (about a dozen classes a week take a tour of the place and they come from all over the province). I try to always oblige and if there is time I try to take them on a behind-the-scenes tour of B.C.’s most important and historical building.

Last week, the local Reynolds High School social studies 11 class made such a request. Students of B.C. politics may know that school is Horgan’s alma mater.

I arranged for the class to drop into the premier’s office, where a Reynolds High School banner is draped over the entrance. That morning happened to be the Great Shakeout, when everyone is supposed to practice earthquake survival skills, such as ducking and covering.

They gathered in his office for a few minutes of small talk, and the premier piped up.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let’s go up to the cabinet room so you can dive under the cabinet table during the earthquake drill,” he suggested.

The wide-eyed youngsters made their way up the legendary, narrow spiral staircase (originally installed during former B.C. Premier Bill Bennett’s time) to the cabinet chamber.

Horgan opened the door and stumbled into a cabinet committee meeting, composed of cabinet ministers and their deputies. He quickly and good-naturedly asked them to leave and at first, they seemed to think he was joking.

But no, he explained, we’ve got some high school students here and we need the room. I wasn’t quite sure this was actually happening: some of the most powerful people in the province having to make way for some social studies students (at least they were laughing about it as they were ushered out).

And with that, Horgan held court over the group as they sat around a table where many historic decisions have been made over many, many years. Then the loudspeaker shouted “Earthquake! Earthquake” and the kids dutifully dived under the giant table (which, Horgan explained, was actually built in the chamber).

Plenty of giggling ensued, as Horgan cracked jokes at one end of the table. Then, back on their feet, it was time for the requisite group selfie and they were on their way.

The ousted ministers and deputies were in the lobby, waiting patiently to resume business. “You can have the cabinet room back now,” I proclaimed. “We’re done with it.”

The whole episode was another example of Horgan’s approach to the job, which seems partly focused on having fun and intermingling with the public as much as anything.

It is what sets him apart from so many others. And it was a glimpse of why he has proven to be a natural political campaigner.

Pushing the powerful people aside in favor of the younger generation? That’s a good look on any politician.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.