Foster frustrated with HST recall games

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 21, 2010 7:00 PM

Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster is frustrated the fate of elected officials is being treated like a TV reality show. Foster is one of 18 Liberal politicians being targeted as part of Fight HST’s MLA Survivor Recall: Vote Them Off The Island campaign. “I would have thought the future of the province and the economy would be more important than a game,” he said.

Fight HST will hold a weekly contest to see which constituencies sign up the most recall canvassers between Sept. 27 and Nov. 15. Ultimately, the three areas with the most canvassers will proceed with recall campaigns in January, with a new recall launch every month after the first three. “We had so much interest from so many constituencies, we decided this would be the fairest way to determine who gets to go first,” said Chris Delaney, Fight HST lead organizer, in a release. “It will also help gauge interest in each riding and build an army of volunteers to ensure success.” Fight HST is moving ahead with recall after a legislative committee decided to hold a referendum in September 2011 on the harmonized sales tax, instead of having a vote in the Legislature now.

“I don’t understand why Bill Vander Zalm (Fight HST leader) and Chris Delaney are bent on recall when we’ve said we’ll go to referendum. That’s pretty grassroots democracy,” said Foster. “If the issue is truly the HST, why not wait until people can vote on it? They have an agenda. According to their statements, they’re going to keep going (with recall) until they bring the government down.”

To remove an MLA from office would require 40 per cent of the people listed on the 2009 voters’ list signing the recall petition. The recall process must occur over 60 days. The NDP has suggested that legislation be changed so a referendum on the HST be held as early as this fall instead of next year. “It’s an option,” said Foster of the proposal coming from the official opposition. In a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell, NDP leader Carole James said that the issue of the HST cannot continue until late 2011. “Certainty and stability are important for investor and consumer confidence. Holding a referendum on a major tax initiative one year for now undermines that confidence,” she said. “I have already heard from many British Columbians who are considering holding off major purchases until the future of the HST is finally established.”