Burnaby resident files petition to recall 'failed' MLA

MLA Richard Lee leaves caucus in Victoria, B.C., in this Thursday March 14, 2013, file photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/CHAD HIPOLITO)

VICTORIA - Elections BC says a Burnaby resident has filed a petition to have a provincial politician recalled for allegedly failing to take action on important issues.

Chief electoral officer Keith Archer says the recall application pertains to Richard T. Lee, who represents the riding of Burnaby North.

Loren Letourneau says Lee has done little about an underfunded hospital that needs seismic upgrading and has remained silent on the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion through the city.

Archer says the petition will be issued Wednesday, when registered canvassers can begin collecting signatures before returning the petition by June 15.

He says there were 41,233 registered voters in the May 2013 provincial election and that at least 16,494 signatures are required.

Elections BC will then verify the signatures and if petition is successful, a byelection would be held.