The B.C. government has started its budget consultation tour, and is reminding residents that there is still time to submit written recommendations for the next provincial budget.
Representative Steve Morissette from Kootenay-Monashee is among seven MLAs chosen for the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services' Budget 2026.
The committee held its first in-person meeting on June 2 in Victoria, with additional meetings planned across the province until the June 20 deadline.
"It's an honour to be selected to sit on the Select Standing Committee for Finance and Government Services, I’m thrilled to bring a rural perspective to the committee,” Morissette told the Trail Times.
“As a former local mayor, I know how important it is to make sure that government budgets do their best to serve their constituents and the consultation, which includes members of the legislature working together from all sides of the isle, is an important part of that.”
A committee of government and opposition MLAs is tasked with annual public consultation on the provincial budget and making recommendations based on constituent input.
At the June 2 meeting, Finance Minister Brenda Bailey presented the Budget 2026 consultation paper, emphasizing the democratic nature of the process.
Morissette, previously Mayor of Fruitvale, ran for the NDP in Kootenay-Monashee after MLA Katrine Conroy's retirement.
As mayor, Morissette led initiatives like constructing affordable housing and a child care facility, promoting accessible healthcare, supporting an active transportation plan, and renovating a local baseball park through the Field of Dreams contest.
“I know issues we've been hearing about from all over the province resonate in my community as well - like making sure British Columbia has a strong, diverse economy, strengthening healthcare services and lowering costs and building affordable housing,” said Morissette.
“The in-person consultation is full, but I would encourage anyone who is interested in having their voice heard to contribute in writing to the public consultation process."
The in-person meetings are planned throughout the province including a June 9 consultation in Nelson at the Prestige Lakeside Resort from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and one scheduled in Cranbrook at the Prestige on June 10, starting at 5:30 p.m.
All B.C. residents can share their recommendations for the next provincial budget by providing written input by Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m., through the Parliamentary Committees Consultation Portal: https://consultation-portal.leg.bc.ca/.
“Consultation is ongoing and if you have questions about how to make submissions, please reach out to my office," Morissette added.
For more information about the consultation, contact the Parliamentary Committees Office by email at FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca (mailto:FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca) or by phone at 250 356-2933 or 1 877 428-8337 (toll-free in B.C.).
The committee intends to release its report in August 2025 with recommendations for the next provincial budget.
