VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Liberal British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, his popularity as low as the single digits in polls, said Wednesday he is quitting his provincial post.
Campbell told reporters in Vancouver he had asked his party to hold a leadership convention as soon as possible, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. He is expected to remain as premier until then.
"Over the last few weeks, our government has continued to move forward with initiatives that will create jobs, build a stronger economy and support families across British Columbia," he said.
"Yet it is clear to me that those initiatives are being overshadowed. When public debate becomes focused on one person, instead of what is in the best interest of British Columbians, we have lost sight about what is important. When that happens, it's time for change".
The 62-year-old politician, who has been premier since June 2001, has been criticized of late for introducing the harmonized sales tax, which combines the national goods and services tax and the regional provincial sales tax into a single value-added sales tax.
UPI
