All British Columbians are invited to participate in the Budget 2017 consultation process and provide input that will help shape next year’s provincial budget.

After last year’s public consultations on Budget 2016, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government recommended to:

Increase funding for BC Parks and protected areas management, maintenance and provide more park rangers. (Budget 2016 Consultation Report, point 30)

This is why it’s so important to participate in this year’s public consultations and push for this recommendation to be reflected in the 2017 budget.

Anyone can attend a public consultation, but if you want to present to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government and voice your support for increased funding for BC Parks, you’ll have to register beforehand.

Here’s how to take part:

Dates and Locations

Public hearing meetings will be held in 14 communities, plus video/teleconference opportunities for 8 additional communities. Click here for detailed times and locations.

Vancouver – Monday, Sept. 19
Cranbrook – Tuesday, Sept. 20
Kamloops – Tuesday, Sept. 20
Kelowna – Wednesday, Sept. 21
Richmond- Wednesday, Sept. 21
Surrey – Thursday, Sept. 22
Victoria* – Monday, Sept. 26
Prince Rupert – Monday, Oct. 3
Dawson Creek – Tuesday, Oct. 4
Prince George – Tuesday, Oct. 4
Quesnel – Wednesday, Oct. 5
Port Hardy – Wednesday, Oct. 5
Courtenay – Thursday, Oct. 6
Delta – Thursday, Oct. 6
Victoria* – Tuesday, Oct. 11

*Video/teleconference opportunities for Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Williams Lake, Smithers, Castlegar, Vernon, Terrace, and Penticton.

 

How to register to present

If you’d like to present to the committee, you’ll be given a 15 minute time slot—10 minutes to present, and 5 minutes to answer questions from the committee.

To register to present, please send an email to FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca. Please include the names of each presenter and organization, including full contact information.

 

What if I can’t attend a public hearing?

Don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to participate in the public consultation process. You can also make a written, audio, or video submission, or complete an online survey.

Please note: The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 14, 2016.