Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, September 11, 2017 -

Today, the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., announced the Committee’s hearing schedule as it continues its consultations in advance of the 2018 federal budget.

Between 2 June and 4 August 2017, the Committee received over 400 briefs from individuals and organizations focused on the productivity and competitiveness of Canadians. “On behalf of the Committee, I’d like to thank everyone that shared their thoughts and ideas with us,” said Mr. Easter. “We look forward to reviewing each of your proposals, and commend your involvement in this important process.”

Mr. Easter continued: “The Committee will begin its pre-budget hearings on 19 September 2017, and will travel across the country to hear from Canadians and Canadian organizations in their home cities. The Committee Clerk will extend invitations to selected individuals and groups to appear before the Committee in the coming weeks.”

The Committee will hold pre-budget hearings in Ottawa throughout the weeks of 18 and 25 September 2017. The weeks of 2 and 16 October, hearings will be held across Canada in accordance with the following schedule:

3 October: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

4 October: Vancouver, British Columbia

5 October: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

6 October: Calgary, Alberta

16 October: St. John’s, Newfoundland

17 October: Halifax, Nova Scotia

18 October: Montreal, Quebec

19 October: Windsor, Ontario

20 October: Toronto, Ontario.

Mr. Easter concluded: “I am happy to announce that the Committee will once again be conducting 'open mic' sessions during the weeks of 2 and 16 October 2017 for any Canadians who were not invited to make a formal appearance. We invite you to briefly share your views on budgetary priorities, and will hear those that arrive on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to hear from as many Canadians as possible, individuals should confine their comments to one minute or less.”

Additional details concerning the location of the hearings and registration for the ‘open mic’ sessions are forthcoming.