To the editor:
A significant number of British Columbians voted against the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) because of the deceitful conduct of Gordon Campbell during the last provincial election.
No doubt Campbell’s judgment was clouded by the $1.6-billion HST implementation grant the federal government was dangling in front of his face. It is easy to imagine Prime Minister Stephen Harper standing in the shadows whispering, “Take it, Gordon. Take it.”
The HST scheme backfired when outraged voters focused their anger on Campbell and his B.C. Liberals. When Campbell was finally compelled to resign, Harper rewarded his accomplice by appointing him High Commissioner in London.
The HST shemozzle resulted in an unpopular provincial government desperately searching for some way to retain power. With wide-eyed expectations the BC Liberal Party elected a media star as their new leader.
Christy Clark shone brightly for a while, but it soon became apparent her aura was artificial. Her warmth was merely the heat from the TV camera lights reflecting off a well-polished image. The people eventually overturned the HST legislation following a divisive referendum.
It has been said those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.
Harper is now trying to sweet-talk the British Columbia government into expediting the northern pipeline project. He is standing in the shadows of course, holding an attaché case filled with petro dollars, whispering, “Take it. Take it!”
Arrogance and deception in the name of economic expediency proved disastrous last time. If a B.C. government swallows this quick-buck-bait, Harper’s scheme to fast-track the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project is certain to backfire and British Columbians will get caught up in another divisive political firestorm.
Lloyd Atkins
Vernon