Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, December 12, 2012 -

Today, Mr. James Rajotte, M.P., Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, tabled the Committee’s report regarding its 2012 pre-budget consultations in the House of Commons. Entitled Jobs, Growth, Productivity and Demographic Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Canada, the report contains 60 recommendations in the areas of federal finances, people, businesses and communities.

“As always, I am pleased to table the Committee’s pre-budget report, which summarizes the proposals presented to us in our hearings, provides the names of individuals and groups responding to our five online questions and presents the recommendations made by Committee members. We believe that implementation of the recommendations contained in Chapter 6 of our report will lead to strength for Canada’s finances, people, businesses and communities. In turn, their strength will lead to Canada’s strength as a nation,” said Mr. Rajotte.

Mr. Rajotte concluded: “In addition to thanking the individuals and groups appearing before us in Ottawa, I want to acknowledge the 324 organizations and 475 individuals who responded to our online questionnaire. On June 8, Canadians were invited to provide their thoughts in five areas: economic recovery and growth, job creation, demographic change, productivity and other challenges. On behalf of the Committee, I want to thank all of those who took the time to provide us with their views and proposals for change in these areas, and who agreed to have their input posted on the Committee’s website. The public availability of this information helps to ensure that all Canadians are informed about the budgetary priorities of other Canadian residents, businesses and communities.”

The House of Commons’ Standing Order 83.1 stipulates that, each year, the Committee is authorized to consider and report on proposals regarding the budgetary policy of the government. The Committee’s report can be found at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/CommitteeBusiness/ReportsResponses.aspx?Cmte=FINA&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=1.