B.C. HST foes harbour extremists: MLA

The political fight over B.C.'s harmonized sales tax is taking a nastier turn, with the provincial Liberals accusing HST opponents of harbouring people with extreme views.

In the latest volley, the B.C. Liberals point to Gary Edwards, who is organizing a campaign to recall a Liberal MLA in the riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin.

In one recent internet posting on his blog, Edwards refers to what he calls "the bastards in Victoria" and "the Liberal Liars Club."

He describes B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell as "a little turd" and used more vulgar language to describe the province's chief electoral officer.

"I think it's atrocious, the profanity-laced blog entry," Liberal MLA Terry Lake said Tuesday.

Lake said Fight HST leader and former Social Credit premier Bill Vander Zalm needs to answer some tough questions about organizers like Edwards.

Zundel supporter quits

On the weekend, Kelowna recall organizer Al Romanchuk resigned after making comments supportive of Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel.

"I'd like to know if he defends what these people are saying and what they believe in," said Lake, who is one of the MLAs targeted for recall.

Vander Zalm said he can't vet all his canvassers, any more than the Liberals vet all their party members.

"I have very little control over who gets involved in a recall. It's really a local issue," he said.

"And I think the Liberals are making a big, big mistake taking this tactic."

Vander Zalm agreed the language used by Edwards on his blog is terrible and said he doesn't support personal attacks.

Lake said Vander Zalm needs to take more responsibility for his cohorts, who include "people that are on the fringes [and] megalomaniacs that want the spotlight.

"Mr. Vander Zalm has provided a team for them to join," said Lake.