MEDIA RELEASE

June 30, 2021

Budget 2022 Consultation now open

VICTORIA – The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Budget 2022 Public Consultation opens today, following the release of the Budget 2022 Consultation Paper by the Minister of Finance.

British Columbians are encouraged to share their suggestions for next year’s provincial budget by presenting to the Committee, providing written comments, or filling out an online survey. Organizations or individuals who would like to make a presentation are asked to indicate their interest by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) July 16; presentations will take place in late August through September and are expected to be a mix of in-person and virtual (video/teleconference) meetings. For details on how to participate, visit the Committee’s website at https://bcleg.ca/FGSbudget or contact the Parliamentary Committees Office at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428- 8337 (toll-free in BC).

“There isn’t a corner of this province that hasn’t been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic with every person, region and sector impacted in different ways,” said , Committee Chair. “This consultation is an opportunity for British Columbians to tell us what they and their communities need most.”

“This has been a challenging time for all British Columbians,” added , Deputy Chair. “We will carefully consider everyone’s perspectives, experiences and proposed solutions as we make recommendations to steer our recovery.”

The consultation closes at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) September 30. The Committee will examine all input received and prepare a report outlining the issues most important to British Columbians and its recommendations for the next budget by no later than November 15, 2021.

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is one of ten permanent parliamentary committees established to undertake work on behalf of the Legislative Assembly. The Committee, currently made up of MLAs from government and the official opposition, holds an annual public consultation to hear from British Columbians about their ideas and priorities for the next provincial budget.

The members of the committee are: Janet Routledge, MLA, North (Chair); Ben Stewart, MLA, West (Deputy Chair); , MLA, Abbotsford-Mission; , MLA, Cariboo-Chilcotin; , MLA, ; , MLA, Shuswap; , MLA, Victoria-Beacon Hill; , MLA, Vernon-Monashee; and , MLA, Surrey Cloverdale.

For further information: Jennifer Arril Clerk of Committees Room 224 Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 [email protected]