News Couvelier resigns himself to back bench TheReview Wednesday, March 13,1991 — A2 BEACON BAKERY, by Glenn Werkman The Review Mel Couvelier is not prepared to “rise and defend vigorously” criti- cism of Premier Bill Vander Zalm — in the legislature. “The issue was so basic that it transcended normal duties and obligations to a leader,” Couvelier said. “In my mind those obliga- tions work both ways. I feel (the premier’s rejection) of my request for him not to put frontbenchers in a position of having to defend him blindly, potentially without access to all the facts, was an unfair position.” Friday, the Saanich and The Islands MLA defended his Wed- nesday decision to resign as the province’s finance minister, just days before the legislature was scheduled to resume. “Because the investigation (into the premier’s involvement in the sale of Fantasy Gardens) is not yet complete and all the facts are not yet known, I’m extremely reluc- tant to sit in the house with the REACTION _ prospective of being blind-sided,” Couvelier said. Couvelier had hoped the prem- ier would agree not to sit in the house, allowing the Social Credit party faithful to rally around the deputy premier, Transportation Minister Rita Johnston. “That would have allowed us to sell the legislative package with the vigor it deserves,” Couvelier said. Before leaving for a trip overseas to promote B.C., Couvelier had ~ discussed his’ concerns with cau- cus members and the premier. “As a compromise I asked Van- der Zalm not to appear (in the house) until after the report (from investigator Ted Hughes) was received.” After discussion the premier agreed to hold off on any decision until the Wednesday (March 6) caucus meeting, Couvelier said. ~ (Then) the premier was unwill- ing to consider either delaying the sitting of the house or staying out. “That left me with no altema- tive except to remove myself from “Continued from Page Al. McMurphy said: ““When one looks at the government and its record over the past four years, Mel Couvelier or any other mem- ber. of caucus could have resigned 20) times.” Liberal candidate Clive Tanner said: “I think it’s the kiss of death for the Vander Zalm government. (Couvelier’s) the second man on 22 in.error. by sitting in the. house; “Tanner understands it- was a difficult decision for Couvelier, who could be torn between his duty to the office and his inten- tions to seek re-election. “Tt would be easier for him to get re-elected now than before because he’s running as a back- bencher Socred instead of an incumbent with Vander Zalm, assuming he’s re-electable, which I seriously doubt,” Tanner said. ” MeMurphy sala ae can under- stand Couvelier trying to put a distance between himself and Social Credit, “although he has been a large part of it.” “He has obviously sized up the situation and found things became so bad he was left with little choice,” McMurphy said. However, she was surprised to hear about the resignation because ~Couvelier stuck it out for-so long. became writ so large he felt-he had ‘to put some distance ‘between ~ himself and the premier,’ McMurphy said. Tanner said the way things look now, British Columbians are guar- anteed an NDP government next ume they go to the polls. “But if they want an alternative free enterprise party they’d be far wiser to vote Liberal,” Tanner said. “I don’t think Saanich North would be well-represented by the NDP candidate.” ‘