Make Your Voice Heard: BC Budget Consultation Dates Announced

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Last week, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services announced the dates and details for the Budget 2020 consultations. This year, the consultations have been moved forward significantly and will be taking place across BC during the month of June.

This is an excellent opportunity to inform next year’s provincial budget and draw attention to the issues we are facing. There are signs that this government is listening and paying attention to our sector so we must do our best to take advantage of this opportunity.

Consultation Dates and Information

The process for making a written, audio or video submission, or completing the online survey will be available beginning June 3rd; details can be found here. The committee’s first public hearing is on June 10th in Colwood. The current list of dates and locations is below. Please see the full Public Hearing Schedule for all locations, addresses, and times.

 

June 10 – Colwood
June 11 – Kimberley
June 11 – Castlegar
June 12 – Kelowna
June 12 – Kamloops		 June 13 – Courtenay
June 13 – Qualicum Beach
June 14 – Vancouver
June 17 – Prince Rupert
June 18 – Kitimat		 June 18 – Prince George
June 19 – Fort St. John
June 19 – Quesnel
June 20 – Abbotsford
June 21 – Surrey

Online registration for the public hearings opens Monday, May 27th. Teleconference opportunities can be requested by calling the Parliamentary Committees Office at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428-8337. The submission deadline and consultation closing is 5:00 PM on Friday, June 28th.

Sector Strength and Sustainability

The Federation will be focusing our presentation on the need for a strong and sustainable community social services sector and what needs to change in order to make that a reality. We have seen progress over the past year, but there remain a series of financial pressures we are struggling to deal with. Combined with challenging procurement processes and the legacy of long-term underfunding, this leaves our sector in a precarious and fragile state.

A strong and sustainable social services sector is critical to the economic and social prosperity of this province. In order to realize that goal, we need a better funding model, we need a stronger relationship between the sector and the government, and we need to be at the table when important decisions are made. Those are the points we will be driving home. We will be sharing the full text of our submission with members in the coming weeks.

Make Your Voice Heard

We encourage all of our members to present or make a submission. One way or another, your voices need to be heard. This committee needs to know what you’re experiencing and what you’re struggling with. And they need to hear what must change in order to ensure that all British Columbians have the supports they need where and when they need them.

You can learn more about the consultation process and how to participate here. If you or your organization need assistance preparing a submission or presentation, please contact Rebecca at The Federation office. We’re here to help!

Rick FitzZaland
Executive Director