Abbott goes for premier’s job

Premier Gordon Campbell oversees swearing in of George Abbott as MLA for Shuswap on June 8, 2009. (Photo from MLA website)

George Abbott, Minister of Education in the B.C. Liberal cabinet, formally announced his resignation from the cabinet this morning, Thursday, November 26, 2010, in order to officially enter the race to become the leader of the province’s Liberal party.

In a press conference in Vancouver, Mr. Abbott said he would run on the platform, “The Right Leader for B.C.”

“I believe that British Columbia – from Victoria to Vanderhoof, Telwka to Trail, Howe Street to Main Street — has only begun to reach its potential,” he said. “The BC Liberal Party is the right party to guide our province to this success. I am the right leader and the right Premier.”

Mr. Abbott is in his fourth term as representative from the Sicamous area and MLA for Shuswap, having held five positions since being appointed nine years ago.

He has promised the people of British Columbia that, if elected premier, he will move forward the HST referendum and establish a process to increase the minimum wage, currently the lowest in Canada. He would also create a new homeowner tax credit and one for childhood health and wellness.

Since Premier Gordon Campbell announced on November 3, 2010 that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party, only one other person had stepped forward to announce their candidacy for the position and that was Dr. Moira Stillwell, MLA for Vancouver-Langara. There is a strong possibility that former cabinet minister Christy Clark will also step into the race.