BC Budget 2024 consultation report available for viewing
Photo Credit: Government of BC
A group of politicians enlisted to hear concerns and views from all corners of the Province have published their report on 2024 BC Budget Consultations.
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, which included Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka as deputy chair, held 16 public hearings in 11 BC communities.
They also heard 375 presentations and went through 387 written submissions.
The report’s recommendations include increasing efforts to mitigate climate change, ensuring access to health care for rural and remote communities and more.
Find a link to the report, and a statement from the committee, below:
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has released its report on the Budget 2024 consultation.
The committee’s consultation began on May 25 and concluded on June 16, 2023. During the consultation, the committee held 16 public hearings in 11 communities throughout B.C., as well as virtually using the Zoom videoconferencing platform.
The committee heard 375 presentations and received 387 written submissions. The report provides a comprehensive summary of the priorities, concerns and ideas shared by British Columbians, as well as the committee’s conclusions and 166 recommendations for the next provincial budget.
“The committee is grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views, including many individual British Columbians who had the courage to share their personal experiences,” said Mike Starchuk, committee chair. “We heard clearly that additional investments and actions are needed to address climate change, housing supply and access to health care, including mental health and addictions, and affordability.”
Tom Shypitka, deputy chair, said: “British Columbians also highlighted the energy transition, labour shortages, the regulatory environment and challenges faced by international students. Members greatly valued being able to hear directly from British Columbians about these issues and ways we can move the province forward.”
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is one of 10 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 report is available online: https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees/42ndParliament-4thSession-fgs
The members of the committee are:
* Mike Starchuk, MLA, Surrey-Cloverdale (chair);
* Tom Shypitka, MLA, Kootenay East (deputy chair);
* Bruce Banman, MLA, Abbotsford South;
* Susie Chant, MLA, North Vancouver-Seymour;
* George Chow, MLA, Vancouver-Fraserview;
* Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA, Courtenay-Comox;
* Ben Stewart, MLA, Kelowna West;
* Adam Walker, MLA, Parksville-Qualicum; and
* Henry Yao, MLA, Richmond South Centre.
– Article includes statement and link from BC government
