VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A big win today for the supporters of the anti-HST petition. Former B.C. Premier Bill Vander Zalm has announced the anti-HST petition was a success, but the government won't take any action until all court proceedings involving the tax are over.
During a press-conference held at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre in Vancouver Wednesday afternoon, Vander Zalm thanked the 700,000 people who signed the petition. "We congratulate the people of the province. The petition was a huge success. We're very pleased with the results. The petition passed in every constituency in all parts of the province. We're, however, very frustrated with the government and the process."
B.C.'s Chief Electoral Officer Craig James told Vander Zalm that he would take no action until the court proceedings into all the constitutional challenges involved in the case were final and complete. That means Elections B.C. won't send the question to a legislative committee who could either put it to a vote in the House, or send it to a non-binding province wide vote.
The former premier called the delay a "stall tactic" encouraged by the
government and the big business groups that initiated the action in the
first place.
Vander Zalm says the postponement of action could take several years if the government were to re-appeal. Meanwhile, he says, they are now looking to recall every Liberal MLA in the province.