UPDATE: Former BC premier John Horgan to leave early as member of legislature

(UPDATE: Feb. 9 @ 5 pm) - Former British Columbia premier John Horgan says he’s speeding up his retirement plans, but isn’t ruling out accepting a political appointment in the future.

Horgan gave an emotional farewell speech in the legislature Thursday, saying he "loved every minute" of his 30−year career at the provincial legislature, but the time had come to do other things.

Horgan, 63, who has twice battled cancer, announced last June health reasons were forcing him to retire after five years as premier, eight years as New Democratic Party leader and five terms as a member of the legislature, representing his Victoria−area riding.

The former New Democrat premier also worked as a political staff member at the legislature for a dozen years before running for office in 2005.

"I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity," Horgan said. "I often pinch myself: ’How have I been so lucky.’"

He told members of the house that he was healthy, and thanked all those who supported him during his battle with throat cancer.

In his 35−minute speech, he also thanked several members of the legislature, Liberal and NDP, who sat with him over his years, from when "tyrannosaurus were roaming the lawns" of the legislature.

While he didn’t give a specific time for his departure, he suggested outside the legislature that St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 might be a good day to go.

When he announced he was stepping down as premier, Horgan said he would continue to serve as the MLA for his riding of Langford−Juan de Fuca until the next B.C. election, set for the fall of 2024, but that now has changed.

"I spent a lot of time doing this and I believe there are other things in the world for me to do," he said after delivering his speech in the legislature. "I think I’ve got other skills and abilities and I’m going to exercise them."

Horgan did not rule out accepting a political appointment in the future, especially one from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"The prime minister has been very kind to me," he said. "If there is something that he needs me to do, I’d certainly consider that, but I’m not ruling out anything."

Horgan said he spent his political career trying to represent his community, riding and province.

"I have no regrets because I have every day tried my best to make a positive impact and to have the opportunity over 30 years in this place is like, it’s nuts," he said. "I started opening the mail and I got to be the premier."

(Original story: Feb. 9 @ 2:35 pm) - Former British Columbia premier John Horgan says he is leaving politics, and gave an emotional farewell speech in the legislature.

While he didn’t give a specific time for his departure, he suggested St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 might be a good day to go.

Horgan, who’s 63, has twice battled cancer, and announced last June that health reasons were forcing him to retire from the premier’s job after five years.

He did tell members of the house that he was healthy, and thanked all those who supported him during his battle with throat cancer.

In his 35−minute speech, he also thanked several members of the legislature, Liberal and NDP, who sat with him over his years, from when "tyrannosaurus were roaming the lawns" of the legislature.

He’s spent 18 years as an elected member in B.C. and another 12 before that working for other members in the house.