Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 03, 2016 -

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance launched its pre-budget consultation process, and is inviting the participation of Canadians. A report on the consultations will be tabled in the House of Commons in December 2016. The suggestions made by Canadians, and the report on the pre-budget consultations prepared by the Committee, will be considered by the Minister of Finance as the 2017 federal budget is developed.

“I’m pleased to be announcing the launch of the House Finance Committee’s pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2017 budget,” said the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P. for Malpeque and Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. “Each year, the Committee undertakes this important process, and is always very grateful for the thoughtful and interesting proposals made by Canadians for potential inclusion in the forthcoming federal budget.”

The focus of written submissions to the Committee and appearances in fall 2016 should be the following:

1. What federal measures would help Canadians generally – and such specific groups as the unemployed, Indigenous peoples, those with a disability and seniors – maximize, in the manner of their choosing, their contributions to the country’s economic growth?
   • For example, what measures in relation to education and training, labour mobility, workplace accommodation, labour market information and personal taxes would be most helpful in supporting the country’s economic growth?
   
   
2. What federal actions would assist Canada’s businesses – in all regions and sectors – meet their expansion, innovation and prosperity goals, and thereby contribute to economic growth in the country?
   • For example, what actions in relation to support for entrepreneurs, internal and international trade and investment, regional development agencies, taxation and business financing would help businesses maximize their contribution to Canada’s economic growth?
   
   
3. What federal measures would ensure that urban, rural and remote communities throughout Canada enable residents to make their desired contribution to the country’s economic growth and businesses to expand, prosper and serve domestic and international customers in order to contribute to growth?
   • For example, what measures in relation to broadband and other types of infrastructure, arts, recreation, tourism and climate change adaptation would help communities to support residents and businesses as they seek to take advantage of opportunities and contribute to the nation’s economic growth?

The deadline for written submissions to the Committee is no later than Friday, 5 August 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Submissions should be no longer than 2,000 words, including an executive summary. Submissions exceeding this limit will not be considered by the Committee. Following translation, the submissions will be circulated to Committee members and posted on the Committee’s website.

Written submissions can be sent to: finapbc-cpb@parl.gc.ca.

More information about this year’s pre-budget consultations is available on the study’s webpage.

In September, the Clerk of the Committee – on behalf of the Finance Committee members – will extend invitations to selected groups and individuals to appear as witnesses during the pre-budget hearings. Pending House of Commons approval, the Committee intends to hold hearings in Ottawa and in various cities across Canada. Once those cities and the hearing dates have been confirmed, the Committee will issue a news release.