HST going to non-binding referendum

VICTORIA (NEWS1130) - A special legislative committee has decided there will be a province-wide non-binding referendum on the HST next September. An NDP motion to debate a bill in the legislature was voted down by the Liberal majority on that committee.

New Democrat Rob Fleming sits on the committee and says that left them with little choice. "It's a bit absurd, but it's the only option available and the committee recommended that unanimously."

The referendum will be held at the end of September 2011.  However, because it's non-binding the provincial government can simply ignore the results of the vote.

The group behind the anti-HST petition had demanded a vote in the legislature this fall and promised to launch recall campaigns against MLAs starting in November if the committee voted in favour of a referendum.

Chris Delaney with Fight HST says they're not surprised the committee decided on a province-wide referendum, but they don't want it to get that far. "We don't think they'll ever get to a province wide vote, and if they do it will just be a waste of time. Because there may be enough MLA's recalled that we will get this issue resolved before then."

Delaney and anti-HST crusader Bill Vander Zalm walked out of the committee meeting before the final vote.