HST sparks recall campaigns in B.C.

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VICTORIA (CUP) — Confusion, anger and hope emanate from the respective corners of the debate around the harmonized sales tax and the ensuing sub-campaign to recall MLAs such as Science and Universities Minister Ida Chong.

"Ida Chong is a cabinet minister in the heart of the decision making of this government. She has to bear responsibility of the actions of her government. The recall is an act of non-confidence. It's also an act of non-confidence in Ida Chong as an MLA," said Michael Hayes, a recall campaign proponent.

A referendum on the HST is set to take place on September 24, with only a simple majority required to determine the fate of the tax. But many people are looking at the tax as representing larger political issues of accountability and a degrading democratic process.

The recall campaign is an offshoot from the anti-HST movement, focusing on constituencies that were closely won in recent elections in hopes of the government repealing the HST or having the referendum significantly sooner, and to give MLAs like Chong more than a slap on the wrist for what they believe is not representing their constituents.

"Why don't they target MLAs who are majorly responsible for this, like the finance minister or even the premiere … they are going after MLAs who have won in very close elections, this one being one of them," said Chong, who was elected with 30 per cent of the vote.

She feels that there is more to the recall campaign than meets the eye. "There is a political agenda that is involved. An agenda that I believe has largely been taken over by the NDP."

Chong is striking back with a counter-recall campaign where volunteers from her riding association and individuals that helped her get elected 18 months ago act as observers of the recall campaigners when they are on the street and knocking at doors trying to gain signatures.

"The role of the observer is an important one. We could make it work better if the recall proponents would allow us to accompany them. If they would tell us where they are, but they don't tell us where they are," said Chong.

She argued that NDP executive Moe Sihota, who spoke to the benefits of the recall campaign in a recent executive meeting, is part of a movement of New Democrats that are supporting the recall campaign for their political agenda.

"Moe Sihota has mentioned it in an executive meeting; it's in the minutes. We have a riding executive member who is a provincial council NDP member (Michael Hayes), we have an NDP Facebook message encouraging members to get involved," she said. "When you start connecting the dots, the line is pretty clear, you know. It's pretty linear."

Hayes, however, denies that this is an NDP-sponsored initiative.

"She was dropping leaflets on people's doorsteps that are saying that this is an NDP plot. I'm sorry, but Moe Sihota doesn't tell me what to do," said Hayes. "I'm active in my constituency association, but I can tell you that my constituency association has absolutely no involvement with the recall. I haven't been to a meeting in a while because I've been too darn busy on the recall. The fact is that there are Greens involved; there are disapproving Liberals involved; there are cardcarrying Conservatives involved. We've got people volunteering who this is the first political activity they have done in their lives."

The recall campaign has a 60- day window to obtain 40 per cent of all registered voters in Chong's riding Oak Bay or 18,000 signatures to be submitted by February 4 at 4:30 p.m. The memberspending limit for the recall campaign is $35,938.72.

Chong, however, said that if the recall is successful, it will cost much more.

"It will create a by-election. That's a fact," she said. "It will cost $1.1 million; that's again a fact ... recalling Ida Chong will not get rid of the HST. If you recall me tomorrow the HST will still be here. All you've done is create a by-election that will cost $7, $8, $10 million."

Hayes disputed these figures.

"The by-election is about $500,000 ... but the cost of a referendum is $30 million on the Elections B.C. side alone," he said. "That's $30 million, not counting what the government is going to spend to try to sell it. You could have 30 recall initiatives and 30 by-elections for the price of one referendum."

Those who are serious about running the HST out of town have the momentum to steamroll their way to the September referendum. Hayes said the recall process is about participatory democracy.

"I don't care whether you're an NDP or a Green," he said. "This is saying you're accountable on election days, and should you break faith with the electorate there is a price to pay. If the government had the faith of the people there would be no recall campaign. I've got better things to do with my time."