When we last left Former Premier Bill Vander Zalm he was patiently waiting by his phone for the final deliberations of Elections BC on the status of the Fight HST petitions. When the phone finally rang, Acting Chief Electoral Officer Craig James ruled yesterday that the petition is valid, but that the petition would not be forwarded to a legislative committee until pending court actions set to begin on Monday are resolved.
A move that the former Premier describes as a "stall tactic", suggesting that the with opportunities to appeal the petition process could be postponed for years, while those proponents of the tax drag proceedings on through the judicial system.
It's a decision that seems to have been unanticipated by the anti HST group, with Chris Delaney who has been the lead organizer of the process clearly one of the angriest of his group with the directive of Elections BC.
The Fight HST forces now believe that they have two course of action available to them, seeking out a court order to reverse the decision and to mobilize the forces to start a recall campaign in all 46 of the ridings that are home to governing Liberals.
The Fight HST forces now believe that they have two course of action available to them, seeking out a court order to reverse the decision and to mobilize the forces to start a recall campaign in all 46 of the ridings that are home to governing Liberals.
Towards the latter goal the Fight HST group was quick to action Wednesday evening, posting a MLA Recall list prominently on their website, setting the stage to direct their energies towards a recall in November, seeking to as Delaney puts it "clear out the government and start fresh".
To achieve that success, they will use the provisions of the Recall and Initiative Act and target the Liberal ridings, looking to gain the signatures of at least 40 percent of the voters in each riding.
Considering the success of their most recent petition, one would imagine that more than a few Liberal MLA's may feel a little nervous in the months to come.
To achieve that success, they will use the provisions of the Recall and Initiative Act and target the Liberal ridings, looking to gain the signatures of at least 40 percent of the voters in each riding.
Considering the success of their most recent petition, one would imagine that more than a few Liberal MLA's may feel a little nervous in the months to come.
The fall session of the Legislature would appear to be one which will be one of the more tumultuous in recent BC history, as Liberal MLA's keep a watchful eye on their constituents and which way the HST winds are blowing.
Below are some of the reviews of the Wednesday events.
Victoria Times Colonist-- Anti-HST petition is valid, says Elections B.C.
Globe and Mail-- Anti-HST petition upheld in B. C.
Vancouver Sun-- Anti-HST petition succeeds, but hits a snag with Elections
Vancouver Province-- Partial victory for B.C. anti-HST campaigners as petition approved
CBC News-- B. C. HST petition verified but stalled
CTV BC-- Anti-HST petition approved by Elections Canada
The Tyee-- Angry Zalm vows to recall MLAs over HST
Georgia Straight-- Total recall campaign against all B.C. Liberal MLAs pleases HST opponents
Vancouver Province-- Partial victory for B.C. anti-HST campaigners as petition approved
CBC News-- B. C. HST petition verified but stalled
CTV BC-- Anti-HST petition approved by Elections Canada
The Tyee-- Angry Zalm vows to recall MLAs over HST
Georgia Straight-- Total recall campaign against all B.C. Liberal MLAs pleases HST opponents
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