Reaction to the resignation of B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell:

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"Through his considerable efforts, Premier Campbell has returned British Columbia to prosperity and has re-affirmed his province's rightful place in the heart of our Canadian Confederation.

"On a more personal note, I would like to once again thank Premier Campbell for his tireless efforts in promoting British Columbia and Canada during the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Canada and her athletes had no better champion, or more ardent supporter than Gordon Campbell. My enduring memory of Gordon will be with his arms raised cheering our athletes, his hands covered with those famous Canada mittens while passionately waving the Canadian flag." - Prime Minister Stephen Harper

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"The fact is that, you know, Gordon Campbell has taken the blame for this, but the fiasco started here in Ottawa with the Conservative government... they have also failed the people of B.C. They have bribed Gordon Campbell with the money on the HST from Day One, the Conservatives have tried to avoid this issue and make out that they have no responsibility for it, but of course they do. The legislation started here in Ottawa. The negotiations started here in Ottawa, the plan started here in Ottawa. Gordon Campbell has paid the price for that." - NDP MP Libby Davies

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"All across British Columbia the phone lines are buzzing. The minister of transport has been getting all kinds of email, wanting him to run for premier of British Columbia. I need all members to stand with me and say `We need to keep you here in Ottawa. We need to keep him in the federal cabinet.'" Government House Leader John Baird, responding to questions about the HST Campbell's resignation prompted in Question Period

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"We've seen the reality of a more divided province under Mr. Campbell and you can't sweep that away with Mr. Campbell stepping down." - B.C. NDP Leader Carole James

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"Campbell’s personal unpopularity reflects the fact that he has not governed the way British Columbians expected. B.C. Greens congratulate the people of BC who voiced their opposition to the Campbell agenda through the anti-HST initiative and the many groups who protested his policies on social services, natural resource use, education and the arts. Campbell’s decision represents a huge win for grassroots democracy." - B.C. Green Party Leader Jane Sterk

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"It's a big surprise I think for all of us but the premier has always put public service first and as he said this morning that was the basis for his decision. I think we'll look back and celebrate the decade of service that the premier provided to British Columbia." - B.C. Liberal caucus whip John van Dongen

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