B.C. Finance Minister Paul Ramsey says taxpayers will get the chance to tell the government whether it should cut taxes and spending, and by how much.

As part of a new tax consultation process, Ramsey is sending out a questionnaire. He says the results will help him design next year's budget.

Whether to cut B.C. income taxes to the lowest level in Canada is one of the questions. That's something B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell has long advocated.

Ramsey says tax cuts of that magnitude would be unrealistic, and would cost the government $1.8 billion per year. "We couldn't do it and maintain a balanced budget," he says. "The premier and I have committed very firmly that next year's budget will be balanced."

Liberal finance critic Gary Farrell-Collins says experience shows tax cuts stimulate the economy, and results in more tax revenue. "That's not voodoo economics. That is what we have seen in every other province across the country," he says.

Farrell-Collins says he fears that despite the consultation process, the real budget decisions have already been made.