Campbell to focus on economy, HST in TV speech

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has booked TV time to revive his political career, but politicians and pundits are questioning whether anybody will be watching.

Those tuning in Wednesday to witness a prime-time retirement announcement will be disappointed because that isn't likely to happen, says political scientist Norman Ruff, who predicts Campbell will say he has more work to do.

Campbell, expected to retire before the 2013 B.C. election, will likely use the television time to make amends for the way his Liberal government introduced the harmonized sales tax and announce plans to beef up a bare-bones economic agenda.

Campbell could not be immediately reached for comment on his speech plans.

Premier to renew focus on economy

The Liberal premier, who has won three straight elections, is at a low point in his political career, with recent personal approval numbers below 10 per cent.

Ruff, a retired University of Victoria professor, said the volatile political climate that's swirling as Campbell speaks to British Columbians is similar to a wild period late in former Social Credit premier Bill Vander Zalm's tenure.

"He just lost six byelections and people were kind of wondering whether he was going to announce he was going to resign," Ruff said of Vander Zalm.

"But he went on the air and said, 'I have a job to finish.' And I think that will be the theme on Wednesday — Campbell will go on the air and say, 'I have a job to finish."'

Ruff sees Campbell's job as two-fold: make amends for the way the government introduced the HST and refocus on the economy.

"He needs to change the channel and talk about the need for a sustainable economic future of the province," he said. "On Wednesday, he will put it together as a more immediate package."

'Is there anyone listening?'

Ruff said Campbell's speech last month at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler touched on transportation projects throughout the province but it was criticized as a warmed-over version of previous announcements.

Ruff said he expects Campbell to put more energy into those infrastructure projects Wednesday, but isn't convinced there will be anything new.

"The big question mark — is there anyone listening?" he said.

Campbell has already admitted his government did a poor job introducing the HST, which combined the five per cent federal goods and services tax with the former seven per cent B.C. provincial sales tax for a combined 12 per cent levy.

Many British Columbians believe the government hid its HST plans during the May election, only to introduce it weeks later.