Liberals, NDP wrangle over fate of HST-killing bill

Reports of Proceedings (Minutes and Hansard)

• Wednesday, September 8, 2010 p.m. – Victoria HTML AUDIO
  

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Jeff Nagel - BC Local News Published: September 08, Updated: September 08, 2010 2:11 PM

Liberal MLAs who sit on the committee weighing B.C.'s first successful citizens' initiative want more information from B.C.'s chief electoral officer before deciding whether to send the proposed HST-repealing bill to the Legislature or hold a referendum. Eric Foster, Liberal MLA for Vernon-Monashee, said he wants to know more precisely how much a referendum might cost and perhaps other answers, such as whether addition questions can be added to the referendum. "I want to make sure I've got all my facts straight before I vote," Foster said. "The purpose of this is not to stretch this out. I want to clear this up as quicky as we possibly can."

NDP MLA Jenny Kwan had proposed the committee send the bill on to the legislature, preferably for a free vote at the earliest opportunity. Liberals on the committee used their 5-4 majority to put the brakes on that idea until answers can be gathered to their questions.

Liberals, including Foster and Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer, said they want a speedy resolution to the issue. But Kwan wasn't convinced. "The last thing this committee needs to do is engage in delaying tactics," she said. The wrangling centred on whether the chief electoral officer could simply appear at the committee or whether a clerk must act as a go-between, sending questions and bringing back answers. NDP reps said they fear that will delays as one answer from the chief electoral officer generates further questions. "We may as well bring our sleeping bags, were going to be here for qute some time," said Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth. Committee chair Terry Lake admitted the issue is straightforward – the committee has only two possible options – but said the process may be "excruciating" for observers.