Standing Committee on Finance hears from area groups

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs has been traveling across the province hearing from vested individual and groups as part of the Pre-Budget Consultation process and Thursday's stop was North Bay.

At the end of the tour the committee will write a report for the Finance Minister outlining their priorities for the provincial spring budget.

While in the city the committee heard from a number of agencies and say a few themes were heard time and again – the deficit, runaway spending and prioritizing spending.

Conservative MPP Norm Miller says there needs to be sound investment spending on the needs of Ontarian residents versus the wants, meanwhile, NDP MPP Michael Prue says in order to be successful and move forward the province must grow revenues. Liberal MPP Charles Sousa says every jurisdiction in the world is facing deficits as a result of the current economic climate and agrees that revenue growth is paramount while maintaining services for the people of Ontario.