Anti-HST group prepares for MLA recall

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 12, 2010 6:00 PM

Efforts to squash the harmonized sales tax may be on hold, but opponents are now setting their sights on Liberal politicians. Fight HST has confirmed it will launch a recall campaign against members of the government caucus, including Shuswap MLA George Abbott and Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster. “He should be very concerned,” said Dan Thorburn, local Fight HST organizer, of Foster. “I can’t say who will be on top of the list to go first but Fight HST has a wish list of 24 MLAs and Mr. Foster is on it.” Provincial legislation states an MLA can be removed from office if more than 40 per cent of the voters, who were on the date of the last election registered voters in the constituency, sign a recall petition. The earliest a recall campaign could begin is November.

Thorburn admits considerable planning will be required for any recall campaigns, but he believes many people are upset with the provincial government, particularly over the HST. On Wednesday, Elections B.C. confirmed that a petition opposing the tax was signed by a minimum 10 per cent of voters in each of the 85 constituencies. However, Elections B.C. will not forward the matter to a legislative committee to consider either holding a provincewide referendum or conducting another vote in the Legislature. Instead, Elections B.C. will wait until a court case questioning the validity of the petition process is completed. The legal challenge was initiated by six business organizations, and Thorburn believes they risk alienating the public.

“Vernon netted an enormous amount of signatures — 30 per cent of voters. That tells you people are unhappy with the direction of the government,” he said. “People will stand up louder than before. If the petition is blocked, 30 per cent will become 60 per cent.” Foster could not be reached for comment, but he has previously stated he is not concerned about recall. “If they are going to target me, I guess they will,” said Foster in June. “They are just media hounds and they are doing it for political advantage.”