Finance Committee Announces Public Hearing Locations for Budget 2008 Consultations

VICTORIA – The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services announced today its public hearing schedule for the Budget 2008 consultation process. This year, the all-party Committee will travel to thirteen communities to hear from interested individuals and organizations about their fiscal priorities. The public consultation process will be based on questions contained in the Budget 2008 Consultation Paper, which the Minister of Finance will release on Sept. 14, 2007.

“The Finance Committee's budget consultation process is the most open, comprehensive, and inclusive process in Canada ,” said committee chair Bill Bennett. “Last year, more than 8,300 British Columbians had their say on the provincial budget by attending a public hearing, preparing a written submission, or responding to the budget consultation paper on-line.”

Deputy chair Bruce Ralston added: “It is important that all British Columbians voice their opinions and their priorities on the government's budget and fiscal plans.”

The Committee will be holding public hearings in the following locations:

To learn more about scheduling an appearance at a public hearing in your community, please contact the Office of the Clerk of Committees by phone, 1-877-428-8337, or by e-mail: FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca.

The Committee also welcomes written submission by letter, fax, or e-mail. Again this year, the Committee will be offering the public the opportunity to respond to the budget questionnaire on-line. For more information on these options, please visit the Committee's website at www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations. All correspondence, including submissions made using the on-line consultation form, must be received by the Office of the Clerk of Committees by Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.

-30-

The members of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services are:

Media and Public Contact: