BLAIR LEKSTROM RESIGNS OVER HST
Jun 11, 2010
A BC CABINET MINISTER HAS STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS POST OVER HIS CONSTITUENT'S OPPOSTION TO THE HARMONIZED SALES TAX
MINISTER OF ENERGY, MINES AND PETROLEUM BLAIR LEKSTROM SAYS WHILE HE FEELS THE HST WAS BROUGHT FORWARD WITH GOOD INTENTION, HE MUST REPRESENT THE WISHES OF BOTH HIS CONSTITUENTS IN PEACE RIVER SOUTH AND THE PEOPLE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
"it was clear that as we moved through this that the public; certainly that I represent and I think really right across British Columbia, that we moved too quickly on this. This is a major tax, it may or may not be the right one but what we are asking is to put the brakes on, come talk to us about it, I agree with that"
SPEAKING ON CFAX 1070 WITH STEPHEN ANDREW SHORTLY AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT, LEKSTROM SAYS HIS INTENTION IS NOT TO INFLUENCE OTHER CABINET MINISTERS AND MLAS TO TAKE THE SAME COURSE
"I certainly didn't approach this in a way trying to convince my colleagues that I'm right and somebody else is wrong. This is a decision I've made. I think that all people that work in government; and I will speak for both government and opposition, go into this because they believe they can make a difference and I have the upmost respect for people if they stand by what they believe is right to do"
HE SAYS IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION TO STEP DOWN BUT IS FOLLOWING HIS COMMITTMENT TO HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY TO NOT CHANGE WHO HE IS FOR THIS JOB
LEKSTROM SAYS HE WILL REMAIN THE MLA FOR PEACE RIVER SOUTH
- LIZ MCARTHUR/ANDREA BOYES
