Message from the Minister
and Accountability Statement

It is my pleasure to present the 2006/07–2008/09 Service Plan for the Ministry of Finance. This plan supports government priorities, including the Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade.

The ministry strives to maintain a sustainable fiscal environment, foster a strong, competitive and vibrant economy, and provide overall financial and management governance, accountability and the performance framework.

Strong fiscal and economic results allow us to deliver excellence in education, promote healthy living, support people at risk, protect our environment and create jobs. Ongoing vigilance to maintain a balanced budget helps ensure the decisions we make today remain affordable and sustainable in the years ahead.

A fair and competitive tax environment and efficient regulations support economic development and employment opportunities. The ministry will further streamline financial and corporate sector regulation and expand electronic service delivery.

Transparency, accountability and public confidence will be further strengthened as the ministry continues to monitor compliance with evolving GAAP standards as affirmed by the Office of the Auditor General, to maintain our lead among Canadian provinces in the timeliness of financial reporting and comprehensiveness of our public disclosure documents. We are committed to release the Public Accounts by June 30 with an unqualified review from the Auditor General’s Office.

Public sector compensation comprises a significant portion of the provincial budget. The ministry will maintain a fair compensation framework that reflects fiscal, program, employee and labour market considerations. A long-term strategy to manage labour relations that addresses shortages of critical skilled occupations in the public sector is also underway.

The government will also see that British Columbians are informed of the programs and services available in timely, relevant and readily accessible ways. Reaching out to grassroots and ethnic communities and expanding beyond traditional approaches will help make information more accessible and the public better informed.

None of this would be possible without the professionalism, skill and dedication of the ministry staff, whose excellence has earned B.C. a reputation for consistently meeting fiscal plan targets. With their hard work, I am confident the ministry will fulfil its goals and help the government achieve its priorities. I thank them for helping prepare and implement this Service Plan, and I look forward to working with them as we move ahead.

The Ministry of Finance and Associated Entities 2006/07–2008/09 Service Plan was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of February 6, 2006, have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving the specific objectives in the plan.

Honourable Carole Taylor
Minister of Finance

February 6, 2006