John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

News release reproduced with permission. View the release on the Government of BC website.

The new Royal Roads University (RRU), John Horgan Campus is open, offering innovative post-secondary options for a growing number of students living in the Westshore.

“Education opens the door to opportunity,” said Premier David Eby. “This new campus provides a doorway to future prosperity for people, for their families and for their community. It is a great tribute to John’s memory that this campus carries his name, as education opened a world of possibilities for him.”

The campus aims to support the growing number of people of all ages choosing to call Langford home through a unique partnership between RRU, the University of Victoria (UVic), Camosun College, the Justice Institute of B.C. and the Sooke School District.  

“John from Langford always said education was the great equalizer,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Westshore students will be well-served for generations to come with the new John Horgan Campus, where they can pursue higher learning closer to home.”

This post-secondary building will offer study options in a variety of program areas, including paramedic and health-care assistant training and early childhood learning. For students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees, RRU is offering flexible study options in the areas of business and sustainability, social sciences and applied environmental studies.

“We are thrilled to open the RRU Langford, John Horgan Campus,” said Philip Steenkamp, president of RRU. “Students walking through these doors will expand their knowledge, explore new possibilities and gain the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. And best of all, they can do it all in the heart of the Westshore.”

The five-storey building was designed to meet the needs of today’s students. It includes flexible classrooms and study spaces, as well as:  

• an Indigenous centre, a designated space for Indigenous students to gather, cook and connect; and
• the Westshore innovation and startup hub, a space to host mentorship opportunities for students and hold events for the community to foster local entrepreneurship and innovation.

Built with sustainability at the forefront, the building achieved a LEED gold certification and zero-carbon building designation. Some of the sustainability measures include the use of B.C. mass timber, low-carbon concrete, maximized rainwater filtration and native vegetation in the landscaping to reduce irrigation demands.

John Horgan, the late premier of British Columbia, was a fierce advocate for education. Well known throughout the province as “John from Langford,” the naming of this new campus will carry on his legacy.

Quick Facts:

• Funding for this new building is estimated to be $106 million and was provided by the provincial government, RRU, UVic and Camosun College.
• Additional financial support was provided by the City of Langford.
• At full capacity, the school is expected to serve an estimated 1,300 full-time students.

What people are saying about the new campus

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills —

“It’s the people of B.C. who fuel our economy and provide the energy to drive our province forward. In bringing four post-secondary institutions together on one campus, we ensure that people get the training they need to enter the workforce, foster meaningful connections and build a stronger, more resilient B.C. That’s a legacy that late premier John Horgan would be proud to share in.”

Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Highlands —

“The John Horgan Campus is a dream come true for Langford, a true game-changer for our community. As more families choose to call Langford home, this campus delivers innovative programs and accessible education to help people succeed.”

Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat —

“The John Horgan Campus is more than a building, it’s a sign of collaboration, innovation and opportunity. In addition to better access for students in the Westshore, I’m encouraged by the prospects these facilities provide to students throughout the Juan de Fuca-Malahat region by bringing post-secondary programming and opportunities closer to home.”

Darlene Rochford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood —

“Education is the foundation of opportunity, and this new campus puts that opportunity within reach for so many. I’m thrilled to see this new campus opening, offering students a place to develop their skills and further their education close to home.”

Amanda Dowhy, chair of the Sooke Board of Education —

“It’s exciting for our students to see clear pathways to post-secondary education closer to home. Being part of the John Horgan Campus strengthens those connections and inspires our learners to see themselves thriving in higher education.”

Len Goerke, president and CEO of the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) –

“JIBC is proud to call the John Horgan Campus our Vancouver Island home. We look forward to serving Langford and communities across Vancouver Island by training the emergency health-care professionals B.C. urgently needs, while allowing students to stay close to home, build meaningful careers and give back to the communities they care about most.”

Scott Goodmanson, mayor of Langford —

“The opening of the John Horgan Campus is a major milestone for Langford and the Westshore community. It enables local youth to pursue their dreams right here at home, where they can walk in as learners and walk out as leaders. The campus will support local businesses and encourage community collaboration and entrepreneurship through the innovation studio, helping transform Langford into a dynamic university city where students can thrive.”

Angela Macasaquit, student at Royal Roads University —

“On behalf of all of the students taking classes at the John Horgan Campus, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn in this beautiful space. We are already building community and making connections with each other, and we know many more students will want to follow in our footsteps.”

Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, acting president, University of Victoria —

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer UVic programs to our students and residents on the Westshore, with continuing studies programs running this year and the computing gateway program in the fall of 2026. This collaborative campus expands access to UVic courses and focuses on the future of higher education by helping remove barriers for Indigenous learners so that they can learn closer to where they live.”

Lane Trotter, president of Camosun College —

“The new John Horgan Campus shows what’s possible when partners share a vision for students. Camosun College is honoured to be part of this initiative that will bring lasting benefits through high-quality education in the Westshore.”