Silicon Paper Vol. 1: Position Paper on Use-It-or-Lose-It Budgeting in Public Sector Finance

This position paper, published as Silicon Paper Vol. 1, analyzes the inefficiencies of “use-it-or-lose-it” budgeting practices in the public sector. It argues that such practices violate legal standards, ethical duties, and accountability requirements by encouraging wasteful year-end spending. Drawing on laws and oversight frameworks from British Columbia and international evidence, the paper proposes reforms including carry-forward mechanisms, outcome-based budgeting, and mandatory business case audits. The goal is to ensure public funds are managed with transparency, efficiency, and maximum value for taxpayers.