October 8, 2009
Finance Committee Holds Public Consultation in Prince George

PRINCE GEORGE – Residents of Prince George can contribute to the conversation on the future of provincial finance when the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds its public consultation in the City of Prince George on October 14.

“We need to find a way to strengthen the provincial economy while protecting the services that matter most to British Columbians” says Chilliwack MLA John Les, Finance Committee chair. “There are many factors which put B.C. in an excellent position to come out of the economic downturn and we need to make the most of this opportunity. The goal of the committee’s public consultation is to meet with the various communities and give taxpayers a chance to provide insight on how we can maintain B.C.’s competitive edge and build on our provinces economic advantages.”

"The economy and finances are on everyone's mind these days," says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. "We are all giving it a lot of thought and now Prince George and Mackenzie residents will have an opportunity to express their views in person with the Finance and Government Services Committee."

"Community input is very important in determining the direction of our budget and the services we are delivering," says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. "It is so critical that the views of Northern residents are included in this process. The hearing isn't the only way to participate.  I encourage people to go to the website and provide input there as well."

“Our government values the input of northern residents in making decisions about the province’s budget and services and priorities that people want funded. We are providing local accessibility to hear directly from people living and working up north and I encourage people to make their voices heard,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, the government’s northern representative on the committee.

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will hold its public hearing, October 14, in Prince George from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Skylight Ballroom at the Ramada Hotel, 444 George Street, to learn more about the public's fiscal and spending priorities. The all-party committee will hold 13 hearings in different regions of the province.

The committee system allows members of the public to have direct input into the parliamentary process by making written and electronic submissions and attending public hearings.

The public is encouraged to attend the consultation meetings in their region or submit written response by letter or email. Written responses can be sent to: Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, Room 224, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 1X4 and email response can be sent to financecommittee@leg.bc.ca. 

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