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Finance Committee announces Budget 2011 consultation process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2010
VICTORIA – The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services announced today its plans for conducting province-wide budget consultations. The process will be based on the Budget 2011 Consultation Paper, which will be presented by the Minister of Finance to the Committee on September 15.
“We encourage interested individuals and organizations to make a contribution to this important process,” said Committee Chair John Les. “The consultation provides excellent opportunities for British Columbians to shape the province’s fiscal priorities.”
This year’s consultation process will include public hearings in 14 communities, and three videoconference hearings covering an additional nine communities. British Columbians are invited to attend the hearings or participate by sending a written or electronic submission, responding to the online survey, or submitting an audio or video file.
“We look forward to hearing the public’s opinions and priorities on the next provincial budget,” said Doug Donaldson, Deputy Chair. The all-party Committee will hold hearings in the following locations:
Vancouver, September 15, 2:45p.m.-9:00p.m.
Surrey, September 16, 9:00a.m.-8:00p.m.
Lake Country, September 21, 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
Penticton, September 22, 9:00a.m.-12 noon
Kamloops, September 22, 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Cranbrook, September 23, 9:00a.m.-12 noon (MDT)
Castlegar, September 23, 2:30p.m.-5:00p.m.
Videoconferencing hearings
September 24, 9:00a.m.-12 noon, Smithers, Haida Gwaii and Nanaimo
Whistler, September 28, 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Fort St. John, October 4, 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
Prince George, October 5, 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
Terrace, October 5, 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
Courtenay, October 6, 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m.
Videoconferencing hearings
October 6, 2:30p.m.-5:30p.m., Golden, Creston and Fernie
Victoria, October 7, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Videoconferencing hearings
October 8, 9:00a.m.-12 noon, Merritt, Vernon and Port McNeill
Abbotsford, October 15, 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Registration for the public hearings and video conference hearings opens on September 9. To register, please contact committee staff by phone, 1-877-428-8337, or by e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information on the budget consultation process, please visit the Committee’s website at http://www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations. The call for public input closes on Friday, October 15, and the Committee will complete their report by Monday, November 15.
The members of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services are:
John Les, MLA (Chilliwack), Chair
Doug Donaldson, MLA (Stikine), Deputy Chair
Norm Letnick, MLA (Kelowna-Lake Country)
Don McRae, MLA (Comox Valley)
Michelle Mungall, MLA (Nelson-Creston)
Bruce Ralston, MLA (Surrey-Whalley)
Bill Routley, MLA (Cowichan Valley)
John Rustad, MLA (Nechako Lakes)
Jane Thornthwaite, MLA (North Vancouver-Seymour)
John van Dongen, MLA (Abbotsford South)
For further information:
Kate Ryan-Lloyd Telephone: 250-356-2933 (collect)
Clerk Assistant and Acting Clerk of Committees Toll-free: 1-877-428-8337
Room 224, Parliament Buildings Fax: 250-356-8172
Victoria, B