Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, October 11, 2017 -

“Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance will be travelling throughout Canada during the weeks of 2 and 16 October in order to hear from individuals and groups about their budgetary priorities. In particular, witnesses should focus their testimony on ways to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Canadians and their businesses. We also encourage all interested Canadians who were not invited to make a formal appearance before the Committee to speak on these topics during the ‘open mic’ sessions at each meeting. In order to hear from as many individuals as our time allows, ‘open mic’ participants will have up to one minute to share their views,” said the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Chair of the House Finance Committee.

“Our Committee hopes to build on the success of last year’s ‘open mic’ sessions, and looks forward to hearing from as many individuals as possible. We hope that Canadians come to us in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity to participate in the Canadian budgetary process,” 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. 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. on the morning of the meeting. Sign up will be on a first come first serve 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). 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) for the second open mic panel.

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.