OTTAWA – Former Liberal premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell will be heading across the pond to serve as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
After months of speculation, Campbell was among 11 diplomats given new postings on Monday.
The long-time politician stepped down as premier earlier this year amidst plunging approval ratings following his introduction of the unpopular harmonized sales tax (HST).
A popular movement to axe the tax led by another former premier, Bill Vander Zalm, had the province heading to a referendum on the issue and was poised to take aim at several Liberal cabinet ministers through recall – a process that allows voters to kick their Members of the Legislative Assembly out of office.
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The threats caused tension among the Liberal ranks, some of which was aimed at Campbell.
Campbell was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1994 in the affluent neighbourhood of Vancouver-Quilchena. He became premier in 2001.
In his decade as premier, Campbell introduced a carbon tax in British Columbia, passed a law making teachers strikes illegal, raised minimum wage to $8 and hosted the Winter Olympics.
More infamously, Campbell was arrested on vacation in Hawaii in January 2003 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. He pled no contest.
Before entering politics, Campbell was a teacher and worked in real estate. Born and raised in Vancouver, Campbell is married and has two grown sons.
Canada is also getting a new ambassador in Afghanistan. Glenn Davidson is leaving crisis-stricken Syria to head up Canada’s diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan, as combat soldiers leave Kandahar.
Davidson spent most of his career as a naval officer, including stints commanding the country’s Maritime Forces Atlantic and serving as the military representative to NATO.
Monday’s announcement also included a shuffle at the United Nations in New York where Guillermo Rishchynski will now serve as ambassador and permanent representative to the organization.
Rishchynski is a career diplomat who has served in Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, Colombia and the United States.
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