The Legislative Assembly takes advantage of the smaller size and flexibility of its parliamentary committees to perform certain functions, including scrutinizing government policy and programs.
Parliamentary committees, such as the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, provide a public venue for detailed examination of reports of statutory officers where senior government officials will appear before a committee and be asked to respond to and account for the findings in these reports. Committees may also follow up with government organizations on their progress implementing necessary changes.
Parliamentary committees can also provide a forum for studying specific public policy issues. Senior government officials may appear before a committee to provide briefings and background information on an issue and committees may invite input from other experts and stakeholders, and hold public consultations, to inform their examination.
For more information on parliamentary committees, visit the Parliamentary Committees website.
Every year, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds a province-wide public consultation for the next provincial budget. British Columbians are invited to share their thoughts, ideas, and priorities through a variety of participation options. The Committee then reviews all the input received and makes recommendations to the Legislative Assembly for the next provincial budget, enabling all citizens to directly participate in Legislative Assembly business.