A group representing some of B.C.'s biggest industries wants a judge to decide if the anti-HST petition meets the legal requirements needed to have it put before the legislature.
A statement released by the group says the vast majority of B.C. businesses support the HST because it will make them more competitive and encourages investment and job creation.
But it says former attorney general Geoff Plant has raised doubts about whether a draft bill put before the legislature about the petition is constitutional, and it's asking for a judicial review to clarify the issue.
The group says if the bill is unconstitutional, it can't go ahead in the legislature no matter how many signatures the petition has.
Former Premier Bill Vander Zalm, who is leading the campaign against the HST, says the petition has collected more than 700,000 names and he will present it to Elections B.C. on Wednesday.
The business coalition demanding the judicial review includes the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Forest Industries, the Mining Association of B.C., the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and the Western Convenience Stores Association.
