Volume Nine, Number Four   September 2004    www.columbiajournal.ca

Public Hearings on BC Budget Scheduled for September


CPP News Service

The BC Liberals may not likely use any of the information gathered at these hearings (the pre-budget paper is due to be released September 14, before the hearings are concluded), but by law they are required to hold them, and you have a chance to make your voice heard as to what you would like to see in next year’s provincial government budget.

Beginning Sept. 14, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and
Government Services will be holding a series of public hearings on the 2005 provincial budget. The committee will travel to 16 communities across British Columbia.
The all-party committee has a mandate to conduct "public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year." Based on this input, the committee must present a report to the Legislative Assembly by November 15. Public hearings will be held in the following communities:

Sept. 14 Campbell River, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sept. 15 Prince Rupert, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sept. 16 Houston, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Sept 16 Terrace, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sept. 21 Cranbrook, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sept. 22 Kamloops, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sept. 23 Kelowna, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sept. 28 Fort St. John, 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Sept. 29 Prince George, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sept. 30 Williams Lake, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oct. 6 Victoria, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Oct. 8 Nanaimo, 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Oct. 8 Duncan, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oct. 13 Chilliwack, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Oct. 13 Langley, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Oct. 14 Vancouver, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

"The pre-budget consultation process provides an excellent opportunity for
British Columbians to shape the province's fiscal priorities," said committee chair Brenda Locke, MLA.

Individuals and organizations wishing to appear before the committee should contact the Office of the Clerk of Committees at the phone numbers listed below. Local newspaper and radio ads will identify the locations of the public hearings. The committee also welcomes written submissions through the committee's new online consultation form, or by letter, fax or e-mail. All correspondence should be received by the Office of the Clerk of Committees by Oct. 15.
 
Information about the committee's work, transcripts of hearings, and complete meeting details 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, BC, V8V 1X4
Phone: 250 356-2933 (24 hours) Toll-free: 1-877 428-8337 Fax: 250 356-8172 
E-mail: FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca