John Horgan will step down from his role as British Columbia's premier once a new leader is selected..Rumours of the his potential retirement began circulating last week and while speaking at a media conference Tuesday, the 62-year-old premier confirmed the rumours to be true..“I want to put the speculation to rest so that we can get back to what really matters, and that’s the issues before British Columbians,” he said..Horgan — who was sworn in on July 18, 2017 — will remain premier until a new leader is chosen. He has requested the party start a leadership race in the fall..The new premier will serve until the next provincial election scheduled for October 2024..The announcement follows a whirlwind of controversy surrounding Horgan's recent decision to spend nearly $800 million rebuilding the Royal BC Museum, only to profess that he "made the wrong call" in response to criticism and subsequently axe the project altogether..An Angus Reid Institute poll released June 14 showed the premier's approval ratings as having sunk to the lowest level in two years..“The problems — and more — keep piling up at the door of the premier’s office,” writes Angus Reid, further noting Horgan’s government being forced to defend a lack of funding for new school construction, being “out of touch” with regular British Columbians, a shortage of family doctors, and more..Despite Horgan's "downward trend" reflected in the poll, he is still ranked as Canada's third most popular premier..The soon-to-be retired premier has also battled health issues..Diagnosed with throat cancer following surgery and biopsy last fall, Horgan underwent further treatment throughout the winter and returned in February. Horgan confirmed again Tuesday that he remains cancer-free.
