West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre expressed feelings of remorse, respect and reinvigoration this week as she provided her thoughts on the surprise resignation of her party leader, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
"I really respect that he had to take a long hard look at that and do the right thing," said McIntyre this week.
The controversial implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) caused such a furor, said McIntyre, politicians could no longer address the issues they wanted addressed.
"We've not been able to get out there and talk about more meaningful things because we've been sort of the defensive trying to get the message out about tax policy," she said.
"It was becoming increasing difficult to get the public focus on the agenda we were trying to drive in this term."
Once it became clear Campbell's attempt to quell negative sentiments towards him through a televised public address failed, he decided to resign to turn the attention from personality to policy, said McIntyre.
"The media was savage last week [following the address]. It was really brutal I thought," said McIntyre. "I think he took it to heart. And I really admire him for doing what he thinks was the right thing for the party and for government so we can move forward."
Although 15 per cent of the riding's voters signed an anti-HST petition, McIntyre holds out hope people will come to realize the tax's benefits.
"I totally respect that the public is very upset about the whole issue," she said. "I'm really hoping that people will take the time to really look at why we would ever go back to a hidden PST tax."
Meanwhile, anti-HST organizer Peter Harris said Campbell's resignation "didn't break my heart," adding it was inevitable.
"Maybe it's time some of these leaders start listening to the people before they make a lot of these decisions they're making," said Harris. "They're making a lot of decisions the general public don't really care for."
However not satisfied with the party leader, Harris is continuing his group's campaign to recall McIntyre herself.
"I've got posters going up looking for canvassers for the recall," said Harris.
Provincial anti-HST campaigners announced a "game" of "MLA Survivor Recall - Vote them off the Island" in September. The number of interested canvasser in each riding will determine which three out of 18 MLAs will be targeted for recall first.
"She'll be on that list," said Harris.
