[LabComm] Statement from Carole James on Resignation of Finance Minister Gary Collins

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

Statement from Carole James on Resignation of Finance Minister Gary Collins



As Leader of the New Democratic Party, I want to thank Mr. Collins for his years of public service and wish him well in his new job. Although I took strong exception to many of Mr. Collins' actions as Finance Minister, he dedicated many years of service to the citizens of British Columbia.

Mr. Collins' departure from the Campbell government is sudden, and a complete reversal from the role he assumed short months ago as co-chair of the re-election campaign with responsibilities for all government communications. As Finance Minister, with intimate association with many big business interests, Mr. Collins will know that this action at this time sends a very troubling signal to the markets and to the electorate. 

Such a dramatic change of heart by a key Campbell ally raises several questions that the Premier has been unable to answer.

- Has there been a fundamental disagreement in the direction that government should take?
- Has the budget process or the numbers in it been impacted in any way? 
- Are there further repercussions arising from the police raid on the finance minister's office last year?

Mr. Collins' decision is a serious blow to this administration and to the BC Liberal Party. As the senior minister in government and as co-chair of the BC Liberal election planning committee, Mr. Collins' influence throughout government cannot be overstated. His timing, a mere five months before the general election, can only be read as a serious vote of non-confidence in Premier and his government. As the second senior Minister to resign this fall, the Premier now owes British Columbians a full explanation as to why senior members of cabinet are choosing to end their political careers.

I hope that in response to this dramatic resignation that the Premier will take this opportunity to change the direction of his government and to reach out to British Columbians he has deliberately ignored. Under the Premier's leadership the government has angered rural communities, it has mismanaged health care and education, it has hurt the most vulnerable and it has ignored the concerns of the vast majority of British Columbians. British Columbians want the government to change. Whether the Premier takes this opportunity is up to him.

Gregor Robertson, NDP Candidate for Vancouver-Fairview also thanked Mr. Collins for his public service and echoed Ms. James' call for the Premier to change direction. 

"In my community we have seen up close the damage done by the Campbell government," said Robertson. "The Premier has failed the vast majority of British Columbians who work hard, pay their taxes and want government to be there for them in return. Gordon Campbell now must now acknowledge that it's time for a new approach."

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