John Horgan was inaugurated as the new leader of the B.C. NDP party Sunday in Vancouver.
The 54-year-old Juan de Fuca MLA became the party’s 16th leader at the official meeting at the Renaissance Hotel.
In the last NDP leadership race, Horgan lost out to Adrian Dix, who stepped down after losing to the BC Liberals in last year’s provincial election.
He decided to run again, but this time his win was assured after leadership opponent Mike Farnworth stepped aside in the race.
Sunday, Horgan spoke about the party’s legacy, hydro rate increases and the BC Liberals’ continued dispute with teachers.
However, Horgan’s biggest challenge may be rebuilding his own party, which has been in opposition since the disastrous election.
Many blamed the party’s loss on their tepid stance on natural resource development.
As the new leader, Horgan will have to eventually take a position on many controversial issues, including the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, fracking and the Site C Dam.
A year into their victory, and fully pushing their LNG aspirations, the BC Liberals view themselves as the hard hat party of B.C.
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