Prince George, B.C. – 2017 provincial budget consultations will be coming to northern B.C. in October.

The all-party Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will travel to 15 community’s province-wide including:

Prince Rupert: October 3, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Dawson Creek: October 4, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Prince George: October 4, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Quesnel: October 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The locations for the above hearings have yet to be determined. Video/teleconference opportunities are available at an additional eight communities including Fort St John, Fort Nelson, Williams Lake, Smithers and Terrace.

British Columbians can also participate by making a written, audio or video submission, or by completing an online survey. Public hearing registration will begin on September 6, 2016. You can learn more by clicking here.

“Public hearings are a vital component of the committee’s work,” said committee chair Wm. Scott Hamilton, MLA. “We need to hear from British Columbians on how they would prioritize fiscal sustainability with spending on health, education, and social programs, and investments in critical infrastructure, among other priorities.”

Budget consultations are held annually in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. The deadline for public input is October 14, 2016 and the committee will release a report on the results of its consultation by November 15, 2016.

The members of the committee are:

Wm. Scott Hamilton, MLA Delta North (chair)

Carol James, MLA Victoria-Beacon Hill (deputy chair)

Dan Ashton, MLA Penticton

Robin Austin, MLA Skeena

Eric Foster, MLA Vernon-Monashee

Simon Gibson, MLA Abbotsford-Mission

George Heyman, MLA Vancouver-Fairview

Jennifer Rice, MLA North Coast

Jackie Tegart, MLA Fraser-Nicola

John Yap, MLA Richmond-Steveston