Vander Zalm visit concerns MLA

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 08, 2011 12:00 PM

The architects of B.C.’s anti-HST movement are rolling into town, and that’s raising a red flag for the local MLA.  Bill Vander Zalm and Chris Delaney will hold a town hall meeting at Vernon’s Schubert Centre Thursday at noon. The focus is to raise funds and awareness about the recall campaign against Eric Foster.  “I don’t know what their motive is. We’re having a referendum on the harmonized sales tax,” said Foster.  They wanted a referendum and they’re getting a referendum. If it (recall) is not politically motivated, what is it?”  Vander Zalm, who is a former premier, says there is a need to recall Liberal MLAs to ensure the HST is scrapped.  “We are leading the way for a citizen-led democracy right here in B.C.,” he said in a letter to supporters.  “The whole country is watching us. Indeed, people all over the world are following our progress to see if democracy can truly re-assert itself in British Columbia.” No date has been set for an actual recall campaign in Foster’s Vernon-Monashee constituency.  “We’re among the tops in B.C. for volunteers,” said organizer Darren Seymour, adding that about 300 people have already agreed to circulate the recall petition.  “People have had enough and the decision on the HST was undemocratic. People are taxed to the hilt.”  Seymour believes Vander Zalm’s town hall meeting could encourage residents to join the campaign.  “The more energy we can get, the more chance we have of recalling Eric Foster,” said Seymour.  A recall campaign requires the signatures of 40 per cent of registered voters on a petition, and Foster admits Vander Zalm’s visit could generate interest.  “It’s very disruptive. I’m concerned about it but we’re giving people an opportunity to vote on the HST,” he said.