Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he won’t follow a former colleague’s lead and quit over the harmonized sales tax. Blair Lekstrom, Peace River South MLA, has quit as energy minister and left the Liberal caucus beca
use of public opposition to the HST. “If I felt as strongly as Blair does, I would do what he did. But I believe we need to do it,” said Foster. An anti-HST petition has garnered 9,546 signatures (21.1 per cent of registered voters) in Vernon-Monashee — exceeding the 5,573 votes Foster got during the 2009 election. But Foster insists that shouldn’t pressure him to resign caucus. “I still believe it’s good public policy and the public will understand that once it’s in place. I am disappointed Blair did this at this time,” he said. Shuswap MLA George Abbott also continues to stand behind the HST. “I am surprised and disappointed to hear of his resignation,” Abbott said of Lekstrom. “Blair had spoken in support of the HST as good government policy in the Legislature.” In a written statement, Lekstrom says his first priority is his constituents. “My decision to resign from cabinet and the B.C. Liberal caucus was very difficult, but I fundamentally disagree with the direction our government is headed on the HST,” he said. “When I was elected, I promised myself, my family and my constituents that I would not change who I am to do this job, and I have reached a point where my beliefs and values no longer align with my government.” Lekstrom says he still believes the HST will benefit the province, but there is a need to re-evaluate the tax based on public opinion. “It would be prudent to bring the move toward the HST to a halt and immediately engage British Columbians in a dialogue about our taxation policy,” he said.
Dan Thorburn, who is organizing the Fight HST petition in Vernon-Monashee, wasn’t surprised by Lekstrom’s decision. “This could be the beginning of people stepping away gracefully,” he said. “People (MLAs) in ridings that are weak are feeling the heat.” Thorburn believe’s Lekstrom’s resignation will bolster the petition campaign, which has until July 5 to collect the signatures of 10 per cent of eligible voters in all of B.C.’s 85 constituencies.“It shows what we’re doing is making some MLAs question if they should vote along party lines or listen to the people they represent,” said Thorburn.
-------
Did MLA Blair Lekstrom make the right decision in resigning from the government over the HST? (Castanet Poll)
| Yes |  1135 |
| No | 184 |
| Total votes: 1319 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment