NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Vancouver Island to meet with Premier Horgan, visit MPs

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is making a stop on Vancouver Island today to discuss the need for health-care system improvements with B.C. Premier John Horgan.

Singh will meet with Horgan at 2 p.m. at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria. Their meeting will not be open to media as the leaders discuss the “need to protect and enhance our health care system.”

Prior to that, Singh will meet with Nanaimo NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron at Maffeo Sutton Park at 11 a.m.

Following his meeting with the premier, Singh will visit the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm with Victoria NDP MP Laurel Collins, and will also be joined by his family.

Singh’s visit with the premier comes just one week after Horgan announced he will be stepping down as the leader of the B.C. NDP prior to the next provincial election The announcement came after Horgan said he was officially cancer-free after undergoing radiation treatment for throat cancer.

“We came to the conclusion that I am not able to make another six-year commitment to this job,” he said, adding that while he is cancer-free and his health is good, his “energy flags” as the days go by.

Singh commented on Horgan’s resignation on Twitter, saying it was an “honour” to work with him and call him a friend.

In May, western Canadian premiers including Horgan called on the federal government to help reform their provinces’ health-care systems, saying services are no longer sustainable amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The premiers want a $28-billion increase to health transfers, which would bring the federal funding share to 35 per cent from 22 per cent.

Canada’s premiers will meet in Victoria this month, July 11-12, for the Council of the Federation.

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