George Abbott vows to be “collaborative leader”

Flanked by six caucus members, Shuswap MLA George Abbott officially declared his candidacy today for the leadership of the B.C. Liberal Party, saying he would be a "collaborative" leader who would represent rural and urban B.C. and win back former B.C. Liberal supporters who are upset over the harmonized sales tax.

"I am the right leader and the right premier for the province of British Columbia," Mr. Abbott told a press conference at the Pan Pacific Hotel, adding that he tendered his resignation as education minister early today.

Abbott said that he still supports the HST but would as premier move the referendum on the controversial tax to no later than June 24, 2011 rather than the Sept. 24 date currently in place.

The 58-year-old veteran cabinet minister also said that he would not call an election before the scheduled vote in the spring of 2013. Abbott said he expects that approval ratings for the B.C. Liberals will get a ‘bump" initially after the February leadership convention, but said winning the election will be a difficult task given the "significant and deep-seated anger" in the electorate towards the governing party.

Abbott also promised a new tax credit for home renovations and promised to reduce any regulatory or tax burden caused by the provincial government on the high cost of residential housing.

The Shuswap MLA said the party needs a "reunification of those who are not New Democrats in this province" because history has shown that when "when the free enterprise portion of our province is divided, it leads almost inevitably to a New Democrat Party government."

Asked if his emphasis on collaboration was an attempt to distance himself from the Premier Gordon Campbell, Abbott told reporters that "I am very respectful of the premier and the exceptional work that he has done over the past 10 years when we’ve been government."

Abbott also said the provincial minimum wage — now the lowest in Canada — should be increased. He said he would consult with the public about the extent of the hike.

Abbott was joined on the podium by MLAs Murray Coell, John van Dongen, Richard Lee, Gordon Hogg, John Rustad and Don McRae. Hogg told supporters at the event that MLAs Norm Letnick, John Slater and Kash Heed are also backing Abbott’s candidacy.

Earlier this week Moira Stilwell became the first official candidate to replace outgoing Premier Gordon Campbell, who announced recently that he’s stepping down.

The leadership vote will take place on Feb. 26, 2011.