When Abbotsford was in the midst of devastating flooding, British Columbia Premier John Horgan was in a battle of his own with throat cancer.

Horgan was diagnosed with the disease in early-November and was unable to attend briefings or meetings in-person, meaning in mid-November he could not make the trip to Abbotsford to see the disaster firsthand or offer support face-to-face.

Tuesday (March 22) offered Horgan the opportunity to visit Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley for the first time in 2022 and meet with those impacted by the flooding. Horgan鈥檚 first stop was Abbotsford-based Westberry Farms, a top blueberry producer. He then met with local leaders Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun, Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis and members of the Gateway Community Church, who provided critical relief during the flood.

BC Premier is in today to meet with local leaders. Story and interview coming later

鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)

Horgan told The News that he physically feels fine and is on the road to recovery. He noted that his treatment has left him with no saliva and he joked he now knows just how important saliva is.

Despite being unable to meet in-person, Horgan stated that he and Braun remained in contact during the flood event. He noted that Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth stepped in and joked that Braun and Farnworth became close.

鈥淪o now Henry and Mike have become best friends,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 a bit jealous because I was the first NDP Premier to make friends with the mayor of Abbotsford.鈥�

Horgan stated that people like Braun and Alexis helped Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley survive the flood and is eager to continue that work with them.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important for the province to have these kinds of voices in government and I鈥檓 honoured to have them by my side,鈥� he said. 鈥淗enry and I have developed a relationship over five years now and it鈥檚 good knowing that we can work together to find solutions to problems because governments - whether it鈥檚 federal, provincial or council - is always about solving problems.鈥�

He said the flood was another challenge his government has faced, pointing out that the pandemic and the harrowing fires over the past summer as other major issues. But he said there were positive moments. He felt his team and those on the ground responded well.

鈥淓veryone had to work together, it was neighbours helping neighbours and it was inspiring to watch from far away,鈥� he said.

Braun said before, during and after the flood that senior levels of government need to help out municipalities in events such as the flood. Horgan said he and Braun were going to be talking more about that kind of help today, but also praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his help to the region during the disaster.

The Premier and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee also spoke recently to offer more solutions to the flooding issues.

鈥淲e鈥檝e signed an agreement to work collaboratively on water issues with respect to the Nooksack and other cross border issues,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e already have the Columbia River Treaty - which is well known and critical to both countries and both Washington and B.C.鈥檚 economy - and we also have the Skagit Valley agreement that is important to drinking water in Seattle. I was very impressed with Gov. Inslee and his team were so moved on events north of the border to the point where we want to collaborate on these issues. It鈥檚 still very early, but we have agreed that we have to do it together.鈥�

Horgan said establishing that working relationship with Inslee and the Washington State government will be key to solving potential flooding issues.

Another looming important issue for Horgan in the region is Highway 1. He said that was another example of listening to the people in that region and acting on it. Initially the plan was only to expand lanes to 264 Street, but feedback from locals and meeting with Braun led him to decide to increase the lane extension to the Whatcom Road exit. The project is slated to be completed in 2026.

鈥淲hen I met with Henry and his council and other business leaders they laid it out pretty clearly,鈥� he said of the need to expand to Whatcom. 鈥淭his is a fast growing part of the province and the transportation needs not just benefit a few people, but also the entire community, region and the country as a whole.鈥�

Horgan was also asked about the rumours of the province being a part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Horgan initially was cool on the idea saying that FIFA was a challenging organization to work with, but the pandemic seems to have changed his thinking.

鈥淚nviting the world to come to the Lower Mainland to see B.C. would be a real shot in the arm for our tourism sector,鈥� he said, noting that Minister Melanie Mark is looking into the possibility of hosting games. 鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful it鈥檚 not just going to be a blank cheque. As a sports fan and someone who knows that our tourism industry has been rocked - it鈥檚 an opportunity that we don鈥檛 want to just let go by.鈥�

Horgan鈥檚 plans for the remainder of the day were to visit a diary farm and then meet community leaders in Chilliwack.