Abbott confirms run for B.C. Liberal leadership

B.C. Education Minister George Abbott officially entered the race for the leadership of the B.C. Liberal Party, at an announcement on Thursday morning in Vancouver.

The Shuswap MLA said he was committed to moving the HST referendum to June 24, and honouring the results of the vote. He also said as premier he would raise the minimum wage, but did not say by what amount,

Abbott also committed to a new tax credit for home renovations, funding specialized teams that fight organized crime, and introducing a new health and wellness tax credit to complement a federal tax credit.

Two-way race

The announcement makes Abbott the second Liberal cabinet minister to enter the race to replace Premier Gordon Campbell in the Feb. 26 leadership vote. On Monday Moira Stilwell was the first to announce she would seek the party's leadership.

Both have stepped down from their cabinet posts and Premier Gordon Campbell reappointed Margaret McDiarmid as education minister on Thursday, a position she held until a recent cabinet shuffle.

Health Minister Kevin Falcon says he's "four or five days" away from making his decision public, while Solicitor General Rich Coleman and Attorney General Mike de Jong are currently considering runs.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Christy Clark, now a Vancouver hotline radio host, is also reported to be poised to enter the race, with an announcement expected soon.