FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS ON PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION PROCESS

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS ON PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION PROCESS

VICTORIA – The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has listened to almost 1,800 British Columbians during its annual consultation process regarding next year’s budget. The level of participation has set an all-time record for public input to any legislative committee in British Columbia and has resulted in 19recommendations addressing the key fiscal and budgetary priorities of British Columbians.

The all-party committee held 17 public hearings across B.C. In total, 244 witnesses made presentations at a public hearing, while 220 provided a written submission. For the first time, 1,335 individuals submitted their input electronically through the committee’s new online consultation site.

“Overall, British Columbians were pleased with the work government has done in balancing the 2004 budget and in generating a larger-than-expected surplus this fiscal year,” said committee chair Bill Belsey, MLA. “We heard that government should continue its sound fiscal management to promote further economic growth and opportunities across the province and to target some of the available funding for people in need.”

The committee’s report also contains two key messages to the government: one, that the province needs an effective debt management plan; and two, that the committee’s recommendations regarding new program spending and further tax cuts are contingent upon the availability of financial resources generated by the forecasted surpluses.

“We have recommended that the government respond to British Columbians by further targeting funds to enhance K-to-12 and post-secondary education, access to medical treatment and the social safety net. As well, we suggest that government continue to invest in infrastructure projects and rural economic development,” added Belsey.

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services are:

Bill Belsey, MLA North Coast(Chair)
bill.belsey.mla@leg.bc.ca
Brian Kerr, MLA Malahat-Juan de Fuca(Deputy Chair) brian.kerr.mla@leg.bc.ca

Joy K. MacPhail, MLA Vancouver-Hastings
joy.macphail.office@leg.bc.ca

Information about the committee’s work and transcripts of hearings can be found on its website at http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt, by contacting any committee member, or by contacting:

Kate Ryan-Lloyd, Clerk Assistant and Committee Clerk
Room 224, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-356-2933 (24 hours) Toll-free: 1-877-428-8337 Fax: 250-356-8172
E-mail: FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca

-30-