September 28, 2016
Province Launches YourProvinceYourPlan.ca
– – –New Website, Tool to Encourage Manitobans to Share Ideas, Build Budget 2017: Friesen
The province is launching Your Province, Your Plan, a strategy that includes all Manitobans in the creation of Budget 2017, and will feature an interactive budget website, in-person consultations at a number of locations around the province and a citizen budget tool that will allow Manitobans the opportunity to learn first-hand about the budget process, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.
“I’m proud to unveil new tools for our government’s pre-budget consultations including a citizen budget tool – the first time such a tool has been used by a provincial government,” said Friesen. “Your Province, Your Plan will allow us to reach out directly to Manitobans for input and ideas that will help us develop a strong fiscal plan for the year ahead.”
The website, www.YourProvinceYourPlan.ca, will feature an interactive tool allowing individuals to build their own provincial budget. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their provincial budget preferences on topics ranging from health care and red tape to infrastructure and innovation. The tool will then use the responses to build a budget based on the individual’s priorities. Manitobans can choose to share their input with Manitoba Finance as feedback, as well as on social media to encourage their friends and family to participate in the process, the minister noted.
“Businesses, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental and not-for-profit groups, municipalities and citizens from across the province must work together to fix our finances, repair services and rebuild our economy,” said Friesen. “These consultations are your opportunity to tell us what is important to you and where government can make better use of available dollars.”
In addition, in-person meetings will be held between Oct. 17 and 26 in several communities across Manitoba. The meetings will focus on the themes of efficiency, opportunities for growth and northern economic development and detailed questions will be provided to guide conversations, Friesen said. To ensure the process is as inclusive as possible, invitations for participation in the in-person meetings have also been extended by the premier to representatives from all parties in the Manitoba legislature, the minister added.
Submissions received before Oct. 10 will be reviewed and organizations may be invited to make a presentation at one of the in-person meetings. Manitobans wishing to attend the meetings are encouraged to pre-register by emailing minfin@leg.gov.mb.ca or calling 204-945-3952 in Winnipeg.
The deadline for written submissions will be Wednesday, Nov. 9. Submissions can be made online, through email or by mail. They must be no longer than 1,500 words and should focus on the themes noted above.
“There is nothing wrong with Manitoba that cannot be fixed by Manitobans,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “We believe these consultations will help guide decisions to help us spend within the province’s means and support responsible, targeted measures that will balance the provincial budget.”
Written submissions can be made online at www.YourProvinceYourPlan.ca or by mail to:
Office of the Minister of Finance
450 Broadway
Legislative Building
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
For more information on the dates and locations for the community meetings or to try the online tool, visit www.YourProvinceYourPlan.ca.
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