B.C. Health Minister Kevin Falcon says he will scrap the harmonized sales tax if the majority of British Columbians voted that way in an upcoming referendum.
Falcon made the announcement in Surrey Tuesday as part of his official bid to enter the race to become the province's next premier. He will make a second appearance at an event in Prince George later in the day.
"If 50 per cent plus one of British Columbians vote to scrap the tax I will eliminate it," he told a screaming crowd.
The race for B.C.'s top job is getting crowded. It is believed Attorney General Mike de Jong will step up for his own Abbotsford-area announcement tomorrow.
Former education minister George Abbott and former regional economic and skills development minister Moira Stilwell were the first to announce their intentions for the leadership of the BC Liberals.
Falcon, along with Abbott and Stilwell, are formally asking to move up the HST referendum date from Sept. 24, 2011, to June 24.
"Moving the referendum date will allow our province to make a decision and move on one way or the other," Falcon said.
"Keeping the referendum in September only serves to prolong uncertainty, something that hurts individuals, families and businesses."
In his speech, Falcon also said the party should look at reducing the HST rate to 10 per cent, with perhaps a one per cent reduction in 2011.
"And a further one percent when provincial revenues are sufficient to accommodate it," he said.
The party will vote on Gordon Campbell's successor in Feb. 2011.
Finance Minister Colin Hansen will step in to take over Falcon's duties as Minister of Health Services.
Watch CTV News at Six for a full report from Mike Killeen…
