B.C. premier admits HST hugely unpopular

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell admits his popularity has hit rock bottom — even lower than the popularity of his much-reviled harmonized sales tax.

Campbell said he knows residents are "very unhappy" with how the HST has been introduced and said he's under no illusions.

"I think there's probably one thing in the province less popular than the HST and that's potentially me at this particular moment," he told a crush of media in Victoria on Tuesday.

'I've been the subject of recall before and that's available to people' —B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell

Campbell was reacting to the announcement by the group fighting the implementation of the tax that it now has the required 10 per cent of signatures in the premier's own riding of Vancouver-Point Grey.

Anti-HST organizer Chris Delaney said the same target has also been reached in Vancouver-Quilchena, the riding represented by B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

84 of 85 ridings have met petition target

Just one of the province's 85 ridings has not yet gathered the necessary 10 per cent voter support, but Delaney said he's confident the target will be reached by the end of the month. Organizers have until July 5 to collect the requisite number of signatures.

The petition seeks to declare the HST deal between Ottawa and B.C. null and to reinstate the seven-per-cent PST.

If the petition passes the required threshold in each riding, it will be referred to the legislature's standing committee on legislative initiatives, which could craft a bill to reinstate the PST.

The legislature would vote on the bill, which would likely be defeated given the Liberal majority.

The committee could also recommend the petition go to a referendum, but the results would not be binding.

The initiative's campaign leader, former premier Bill Vander Zalm, said the numbers are overwhelming and Campbell should immediately scrap plans to implement the HST by July 1.

But the premier rebuffed the idea, saying the penalties for pulling out of the agreement with the federal government would be significant.

"I actually think it would be a major mistake," he said, adding the 12 per cent tax is the single most important step taken to improve the economy.

Anti-HST misinformation alleged

Campbell repeated the mantra he's used since the tax was suddenly announced after last May's election: That the HST would generate tens of thousands of jobs, bring billions into the economy and make the provincial tax regime one of the most competitive in the world.

During the provincial election, the premier and his finance minister denied that the government would bring in a harmonized tax.

If the petition campaign reaches its goal, Campbell said the government will attempt to get the word out about the benefits of the HST before the legislature votes on a bill or a referendum is called.

The government has been limited by the recall legislation in getting its message out.

Both Campbell and Hansen have said Fight HST has been leading a "misinformation campaign."

Campbell was unfazed at the suggestion the petition could lead to a recall petition of him in his own riding.

"I've been the subject of recall before and that's available to people," he stated.

After facing media scrums in Vancouver and Victoria, Campbell went into question period and was grilled again.

"With seven weeks to go, more than half a million people have signed the petition," said New Democrat Mike Farnworth.

The Opposition house leader said by the petition deadline, there may be more signatures on the documents than those who voted for the government.

"They all have one question and one question they want the premier to answer," Farnworth yelled from across the floor. "Will he respect their voice and cancel the HST or hold a referendum?"

Campbell replied that he would follow the legislation and submit the petition to a legislative committee for its recommendation.