The BC Liberal cabinet has cancelled Premier Gordon Campbell's 15-per-cent personal income tax cut.
The tax cut -- applicable on earnings up to $72,293 -- was just announced on Oct. 27 and would have kicked in Jan. 1.
The decision was made at a meeting of the government's executive council on Wednesday, in order to give cabinet "maximum flexibility," until a new party leader is chosen, Campbell said in a statement.
"The Cabinet has decided that during this period of transition it is important that decisions are not made that would unnecessarily limit Executive Council's ability to set priorities and implement their agenda for government," he said.
Finance Minister Colin Hansen echoed that sentiment outside the cabinet meeting.
"While the tax measure was clearly well-received by the public, it was also something that I think would restrict the flexibility that the next premier might wish to see," he said.
The cut was announced in a 22-minute televised address by Campbell, aimed at re-establishing his credibility after polls showed his popularity had dropped into the single digits. The address cost $240,000 to produce.
The tax cut would have meant an immediate savings of $348 for people making $50,000 per year, and up to a maximum of $616 each year for those making $72,293 and under.
But the announcement failed to rally support for a leader buckling under public hatred of the harmonized sales tax, and he resigned as leader on Nov. 3.
