Prince George, B.C. – There are just five days left to submit your thoughts on how the next Provincial budget should be shaped. An extra week was added to the process because of the Federal Election.

The Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance, Randy Hawes says its important they hear from British Columbians “It was possible people’s minds were on the Federal Election, so we wanted to be sure people had a chance to comment .”

So far, the Committee has heard a wide range of ideas. “We have heard a lot from people in forestry, they are in some tough, tough waters and we have to think that the days of the surpluses are short, so we have to be fiscally prudent, we are not likely to see new programs or the ramping up of existing programs” says Hawes

Among the requests for government spending are, Universal Day Care, decreased tuitions and students grants given up front. “The BC Teachers Federation would like to see some extra money spent on education, learning assistants, and there is a suggestion that we extend a call for health care workers to the Philippines.” Hawes says there have also been suggestions about helping people on social assistance. “Right now if you are on social assistance and you want to upgrade your education, or want to take a course you can’t.  Well, I think if someone is trying to upgrade their skills so they can get off social assistance we should support that.” 

Hawes says although there have been some suggestions that the Softwood lumber agreement be reopened and renegotiated, nothing could be worse “We shouldn’t even be thinking about that. Right now, the United States is bleeding pretty badly, and I would suspect they will take a protectionist stance, so I don’t want to be jabbing them with a stick. The U.S. will not be interested in negotiating a deal that would be in our favour.”

The members of the Committee are working on their final document now, and will work in any submissions made this week.  You can make a submission on line by clicking here.  The deadline is 4:00 Friday the 24th

The final report and its recommendations will be ready November 15^th.