Recall numbers increase

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After a slow start, it now appears the recall campaign against Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake is showing signs of life.

At the end of the first full week and second weekend (through Sunday, Feb. 13), recall organizers had gathered 1,100 signatures in the constituency.

Recall organizer Chad Moats told KTW the effort has shifted to a door-to-door campaign, with nearly 100 registered canvassers expected to hit the streets this week.

It is expected the campaign will need to obtain about 2,000 signatures a week to succeed.

In Kamloops-North Thompson, registered canvassers have 60 days, until April 4, to obtain the signatures of at least 15,299 registered voters, which is 40 per cent of the 38,246 voters registered to vote in the May 12, 2009 provincial election.

Despite the daunting task, Moats remains positive on the recall’s outcome.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t optimistic about the chances,” he said, noting the number of signatures gathered for the recall campaign has already surpassed what was obtained last year by the anti-HST petition in the same time period.

The first few days of the recall bid, which began on Feb. 3, were hampered by a major snowfall and a delay in obtaining the voters list.

Only 200 signatures were gathered after the first weekend, prompting Moats to suggest he might shut down the campaign if the numbers stayed low by the end of the month.

He is encouraging people to sign the petition to ensure the campaign can continue until the end.

“Really, people just have to get out in the early few weeks and sign it because, otherwise, the momentum disappears,” Moats said.

After an unsuccessful first attempt to recall Liberal MLA Ida Chong in Oak Bay-Gordon Head on Vancouver Island, FightHST has turned its attention to Lake and to Comox Valley Liberal MLA Don McRae.

Once the recall window has ended on April 4, Elections BC has 42 days from the date the petition pages are submitted to the chief electoral officer to verify those who signed the petition were entitled to do so.

If the recall campaign succeeds, Lake’s seat will become vacant and a byelection must be called within 90 days.

The recall office is located at 259 Tranquille Rd. and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.