Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, September 25, 2018 –

“As announced on 11 September 2018, members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance will be travelling throughout Eastern Canada during the week of 1 October in order to hear from individuals and groups about their priorities for the next budget. We encourage witnesses to focus remarks on economic growth and how to ensure Canada’s competitiveness. As well, Canadians who were not invited to make a formal appearance before the Committee will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘open mic’ sessions at each meeting. During these sessions, participants will have up to one minute to share their views with the Committee to allow as many individuals as possible to speak,” said the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Chair of the House Finance Committee.

“‘Open mic’ sessions provide a great opportunity for Canadians to share their views regarding the upcoming budget and the Committee hopes that a large number of individuals will take advantage of it,” Mr. Easter concluded.

How to participate in the open mic sessions:

There will be a 15-minute open mic session at the beginning of each meeting from 8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in Oshawa) where the Committee will hear from a maximum of 15 individuals for up to one minute each, at the discretion of the Chair.

Individuals must sign up at the meeting room before 8:15 a.m. (9:30 a.m. in Oshawa) on the morning of the meeting. Sign up will be on a first come first served basis.

If more than 15 individuals sign up, the remaining individuals can request to remain on the list for the second open mic session, which will take place from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. (2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in Toronto, 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in Oshawa). Those who do not indicate that they wish to remain on the list for the second open mic session by 9:00 a.m. will be removed from the list.

The Committee will hear from a maximum of 30 individuals for up to one minute each, at the discretion of the Chair, during the second open mic session. Individuals must sign up at the meeting room before 11:45 a.m. (2:15 p.m. in Toronto, 1:45 p.m. in Oshawa) for the second open mic session.

Please note that witnesses and members of the public will be required to undergo security screening and must provide photo identification before being given access to the meeting room. Line–ups may occur.