Budget 2010 consultation

The provincial Finance Committee will be traveling the province to hear from you about what you think the 2010/2011 budget should look like.  The current BC Liberal budget plan for 2010/2011 includes cuts of 90% to arts and culture investment.   As you know this will devastate arts organizations, throw thousands out of work, hurt our communities, and negatively impact our economy.  It just doesn’t make sense.  These cuts include the elimination of gaming funds, the entirety of BC Arts Council grants, and other investments in arts and culture
To get on the speakers list you need to act fast.  The Finance Committee have provided less than 5 days notice for arts and culture organizations in Vancouver to participate in the first public forum they are hosting.
The committee will visit other communities across BC soon thereafter.  (Full dates and times are below).  
The government has provided very little time to respond, and we can’t let them get away with keeping our communities voices from being heard.   

To get on the list to speak, please contact: 
toll free          1-877-428-8337
local                  250 356-2933
online           use this link
  and click on the “participate in a public hearing” button.
If you are unable to make it to an in person session then you can submit your thoughts in writing or by
Web video (just click on the link above). 

This is very important – even a one page submission outlining the impact of cuts and the need for next year’s budget to reverse the trend would be helpful.  It is important that speakers include community members speaking in support of the arts, culture, and heritage sectors, professionals, membership organizations, board members, volunteers – you get the idea. 

Here is the schedule in brief:

Mon. Sept. 28  –   Vancouver (Wosk Centre)    9 – 5
Weds. Oct. 7- 
Victoria             8:30- Noon
Fri. Oct. 9      
Videoconferencing hearings
(Cranbrook, Courtenay, Dawson Creek)     9am – 1pm

Weds. Oct. 14   
Smithers                 9 – Noon
                         Prince George                  4 – 7 pm

Thurs. Oct. 15    
Kamloops       9 – Noon
                            Kelowna          4 – 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 16       Surrey       9am – 6 pm

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