It was agreed, — That the Seventh Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:
That the Finance Committee approves the process described below for its 2013 pre-budget consultations:
Consultations will be held in two phases:
Phase 1
From the beginning of June to August 5th, 2013, any individual or group interested in participating in the pre-budget consultations will be asked to fill out the template available on the Committee Web site. Using the template, they will be able to make a maximum of three recommendations (one being mandatory) and submit an additional text of 500 words (optional). Briefs that are submitted after the deadline or that do not conform to the template will not be considered. Individuals without Internet access can obtain the template from the office of the Committee clerk;
Completed templates will be published on the Committee's Web site.
Phase 2
In the fall of 2013, the Committee will hold up to 15 pre-budget consultation meetings on the following panels/topics:
- Focusing on fiscal sustainability and economic growth
- Helping vulnerable Canadians, including Aboriginal Canadians, youth, persons with a disability and newcomers
- Supporting research and innovation, including through tax incentives
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Ensuring prosperous and secure rural and urban communities
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Improving government efficiency, including through reducing red tape
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Maximizing employment opportunities for Canadians.
In the second phase, each political party will communicate its proposed list of witnesses by Friday, August 16, 2013. The briefs submitted by the witnesses must contain no more than three recommendations and must not exceed five pages, including the recommendations. Briefs must be tabled with the Committee two weeks before the scheduled appearance. Any brief submitted after the deadline or that does not conform to the specifications mentioned will not be considered. Appearance before the Committee is conditional on having submitted a brief.
Briefs will be published on the Committee’s Web site.