Pre-budget consultations are formal processes where governments seek input from stakeholders before finalizing their annual budgets. At the federal level, the House of Commons Finance Committee holds consultations where organizations, including municipal associations, present recommendations for the upcoming budget. Municipalities use these opportunities to advocate for funding priorities like infrastructure, housing, and transit. Provincial governments also conduct pre-budget consultations where municipalities can voice local needs. These consultations give communities a chance to influence budget decisions before they're finalized, though governments aren't obligated to adopt the recommendations they receive.