John Horgan, Ambassador of Canada to Germany

Biography

John Horgan is a long-time public servant and the former Premier of British Columbia. On December 8, 2023, he presented his credentials to President Steinmeier to become Ambassador of Canada to Germany.

In this role, Mr. Horgan will build on Canada’s strong relationship with Germany. Both countries are working to transition to a clean economy, build shared prosperity, collaborate for climate action, contribute to peace and security in Europe, as well as advance other common priorities.

John Horgan was Premier of British Columbia from 2017 to 2022 and leader of the province's social democratic New Democratic Party from 2014 to 2022. Mr. Horgan represented his constituency in British Columbia's provincial parliament through five elections from 2005 to 2023.

During his time as Premier, British Columbia was leader among North American governments in advancing climate action policies. Clean energy projects, home and business greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, public transportation infrastructure as well as consumer focused Electric Vehicle regulations were among the many initiatives. Under his leadership, British Columbia became the first government in Canada to implement the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). His tenure was also marked by steady management of the COVID‑19 pandemic and a variety of natural disasters from regular wildfires and devastating flooding events.

John Horgan was born on August 7, 1959, in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trent University in 1983 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Sydney (Australia) in 1986. Mr. Horgan is a two-time cancer survivor. He and his wife Ellie have two sons.

John Horgan succeeds Stéphane Dion, who was Ambassador of Canada to Germany from 2017 to July 2022. In the interim, Canada was represented by Chargées d'Affaires a.i. Isabelle Poupart and Evelyne Coulombe.