19.75°C Vancouver

Jun 23, 2022 12:14 AM - The Canadian Press

Horgan pulls the plug on controversial $789 million project; Furstenau says Premier took far too long

Share On

Premier John Horgan has pulled the plug on a controversial 800-million dollar plan to build a replacement for the aging Royal BC Museum in Victoria.

Horgan says he's heard quite clearly from the people of BC that it's the wrong time for such a project and they want his government to rethink its plans to protect the museum's priceless artifacts.

He says he made the wrong call and his government will go back to the drawing board to find a project that all residents can get behind.

His government had said it approved the project because the museum can't withstand a flood or earthquake, and renovations would have cost 300 million dollars more that a new building.

"Horgan took far too long to acknowledge that he made a mistake"

The BC Green Party says Premier John Horgan took far too long to acknowledge that he made a mistake on what it describes as the ``billion dollar rebuild'' of the Royal BC Museum.

Leader Sonia Furstenau says the project showed how out of touch the N-D-P is with the priorities of British Columbians.

The Liberals had also criticized the rebuild as Horgan's ``vanity project.''

Furstenau says the NDP needs to show they are now going to focus on helping people as the affordability and health care crises are intensifying and communities continue to suffer from climate emergencies.

Latest news

smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce
carney-to-announce-housing-and-infrastructure-measures-in-vancouver-attend-fifa-world-cup-match
CanadaJun 18, 2026

Carney to announce housing and infrastructure measures in Vancouver, attend FIFA World Cup match

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Vancouver today, where he is scheduled to join British Columbia Premier David Eby for an announcement related to new housing development and local infrastructure projects. According to information released by the Prime Minister's Office, the joint announcement will be followed by a private meeting between Carney and Eby. Details of the measures to be announced have not yet been released. The announcement comes as housing affordability, housing supply, and infrastructure capacity remain key issues across British Columbia and other parts of Canada. Federal and pr
BCJun 18, 2026

Surrey Police Board media policy sparks controversy after first meeting under new chair

A policy approved during the first Surrey Police Board meeting chaired by Parm Jawanda on Wednesday is drawing criticism from the Surrey Police Union and local politicians, who argue it could limit public communication by the city's police chief. Under the resolution, the Surrey Police Service chief may speak publicly only on operational policing matters. The policy restricts the chief from commenting on administrative or governance issues involving the police board, Surrey City Hall, or the provincial government. Critics have described the measure as a "gag order," raising concerns about tran
WorldJun 18, 2026

Trump, Iranian President Sign Interim Peace Agreement Ahead of Planned Switzerland Ceremony

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an interim agreement aimed at ending hostilities between the United States and Iran, according to statements from officials involved in the negotiations. The signing took place ahead of a formal ceremony that had been scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland. Trump signed the agreement during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday evening. Following the signing, Trump told reporters that the agreement had been finalized. Iranian officials later confirmed that Presid
toronto-police-arrest-suspect-wanted-in-u-s-consulate-shooting-investigation
CanadaJun 18, 2026

Toronto police arrest suspect wanted in U.S. consulate shooting investigation

Toronto police say they have arrested a 19-year-old suspect wanted in connection with a shooting at the United States consulate in March. Police identified the accused as Zara Jabbi and said the arrest was made as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident. Authorities have not released additional details about the arrest or the specific allegations involved. According to Toronto police, investigators continue to examine a series of shootings across the city that they allege were organized through gun-for-hire networks. The arrest comes less than a week after a Toronto police officer w

Related News