Boycott

A group of five business organizations have filed suit to have the anti-HST petition set aside, this is a very concerning attack on democracy.  The fact they have even been successful to this point in delaying the petition from reaching the legislature could set a very dangerous precedent.

Any future effort of the voters to have a direct voice, either through initiative or recall could be tired up for years by a single lawsuit preventing the will of the people from proceeding.  Imagine a situation where a recall petition was successful and the required number of signatures were gathered and verified, then a lawsuit is filed challenging the legitimacy of the petition.  Right or wrong, the action would be tied up in court for years, likely beyond the term of office of the politician involved.

For this reason we are proposing a boycott of the five business groups involved in the lawsuit and all their member organizations. Legal manoeuvres should not derail the clear will of the voters.

The business organizations include the Council of Forest Industries, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Mining Association of B.C., the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and the Western Convenience Stores Association.

Next time you spend your hard earned money, ask the company with which you’re doing business if they are a member of any of these organization.  And then speak with your wallet and move on to another vendor that respects democracy.

Further background reading:

<a href=”http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-business-groups-seek-to-have-anti-hst-bid-rejected/article1623229/”>Globe & Mail article</a>

<a href=”http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/2010/06/bc-liberal-linked-businesses-file.html”>Bill Tieleman’s article on the lawsuit</a>