We need you now more than ever.

That was the general theme the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services heard Tuesday during three hours of presentations at the Sandman Inn.

"Here in Quesnel and Prince George, they said you've relied on us for 150 years, we're in need now and we need a hand," committee chair Bill Bennett said afterwards.

The committee heard from Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce, City of Quesnel, Child Care Resource and Referral Programs, Quesnel and District Community Arts Council, Senior Advocacy Service, North Cariboo Post Secondary Education and Training Council, Quesnel Museum and Heritage Commission, Multi- Centre Task Force, Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation and Lebrun Ranch.

Bennett, a Liberal MLA for East Kootenay based in Cranbrook, chairs the committee that includes six Liberal and four NDP MLAS. Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson is also part of the committee.

They're touring the province the next three weeks to get feedback on Victoria's Budget 2008 Consultation Paper. They must submit their findings to the finance ministry by Nov. 5…..