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Recall petition arrives

People wishing to recall Comox Valley MLA Don McRae may begin collecting signatures this Friday after B.C.’s acting chief electoral officer approved a petition in principle Monday.

People wishing to recall Comox Valley MLA Don McRae may begin collecting signatures this Friday after B.C.’s acting chief electoral officer approved a petition in principle Monday.

The petition will be issued on Friday, Craig James said in a news release. Registered canvassers may then begin collecting signatures. The petition must be returned to the chief electoral officer’s office no later than March 22.

In the Comox Valley, 48,368 voters were registered to vote on May 12, 2009. Registered canvassers will have 60 days to collect 19,348 or more valid signatures on the recall petition. Recall proponent Kathryn Askew and McRae may each spend up to $39,057.55 during the recall period.

Elections BC has 42 days from the date the petition pages are submitted to verify that those who signed the petition were entitled to do so.

The chief electoral officer cannot determine whether the recall petition is successful until the financial report of the proponent is reviewed and it is determined that Askew did not exceed the expenses limit, James said. The financial report must be filed within 28 days of the end of the recall petition period. 

In the event of a successful recall petition, McRae’s seat would become vacant and a byelection must be called within 90 days. McRae could run as a candidate in a byelection.

In a statement she submitted to James, Askew said she proposes to recall McRae “because he continues to support the Harmonized Sales Tax and does not represent the clear wishes of his constituents.”

During the recent provincial election campaign, she added, Premier Gordon Campbell and finance Minister Colin Hansen stated that the Harmonized Sales Tax was not on their agenda.

“British Columbian voters re-elected them believing in that assurance. Only 72 days later, the British Columbia Liberals, with NO public consultation, debate or enabling legislation, implemented this tax through an order in council,” Askew stated.

McRae supports a provincial referendum costing more than $30 million in September, continued Askew, adding that this is “creating economic uncertainty, which is harming many businesses and consumers.

“Comox Valley voters deserve honesty and accountability from their elected representatives. A successful recall tells this and future governments that they must openly and fairly represent those who elected them,” she concluded.

For more information, visit the Elections BC website at www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/referenda-recall-initiative/recall.