Anti-HST bill goes to committee

The anti-HST petition can move ahead now, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling this morning (Friday, August 20) by Justice Robert Bauman that rejected a constitutional challenge by a group of business organizations.

Bauman said the campaigners against HST should not be denied what they earned and ordered BC’s chief electoral officer, Craig James, to proceed with exercising his legislative duties. This means he must forward the anti-HST bill to a special standing committee of the legislature without delay.

James was reported by the Globe and Mail to have said several hours after the judgment that he would send the draft bill to extinguish the HST to committee on Monday.

The legislative committee that will review the bill must meet within 30 days to agree a course of action. This committee has a 6-to-4 Liberal majority.