Elections B.C. is asking the RCMP to investigate seven canvassers who were involved in the successful Fight HST initiative petition.
Craig James, the province's acting Chief Electoral Officer, will release a report on Monday detailing the results of the initiative petition campaign that forced the province to commit to a referendum on the harmonized sales tax.
He told reporters prior to releasing the report that nearly 2,250 voters have been reprimanded for signing the petition calling for the repeal of the tax more than once, but he is not recommending charges be laid. Of them, at least 38 signed the petition three or more times "and they have received an additional warning."
However, he said he was more concerned with the conduct of 10 canvassers involved in collecting signatures. He alleged they breached their duties as registered canvassers under the Initiative Act.
In seven cases, Mr. James said, their conduct was serious enough to merit a police investigation.
Canvassers were obliged to inform voters that they were not allowed to sign the initiative petition more than once. Mr. James said in one instance, a canvasser made multiple copies of signed petition sheets and submitted them.
However he said the results of the initiative are unchanged. It's the first time in B.C. history that a citizen-proposed law has been forced onto the government's agenda under the province's initiative legislation. The government has agreed to hold a referendum on the HST in September, 2011.
Justine Hunter