THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Government will hold pre-budget consultations in Northwestern Ontario on April 3 2013. The  Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs a week after announcing that there would be no stops in Northwestern Ontario during its Public Budget Consultations, the committee reversed the decision March 22nd

The push to add a meeting in Northwestern Ontario was led by NDP Finance Critic Michael Prue and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, both of whom raised the issue in Queen’s Park this past week.

Pre-Budget Consultation in Thunder Bay

“From day one, New Democrats have pushed for more pre-budget hearings across the province. I’m thrilled that today we were able to convince our fellow MPPs on the finance committee to hold a day of hearings in Thunder Bay. As legislators it’s important to hear from all Ontarians the results they hope to see in the upcoming provincial budget,” says Prue. 

“I am very pleased to see committee members reverse their decision and I encourage community groups and organizations to get involved in the process and make a submission to the committee” says Campbell, who raised the issue during the debate of the province’s Interim Supply Motion March 19. “The reversal of this decision shows that if enough voices speak up we can affect positive change in this region.”

Information on a location and times for the hearings are yet to be released, but are expected to be formalized early next week.