NOTE TO EDITORS - BUDGET LOCK-IN

A budget lock-in will be held for representatives of the news media on Wednesday, March 22, 2000. The lock-in will be held in the Conference Centre, Ground Floor, West Block, Confederation Building.

During the lock-in, media representatives will be provided with advance copies of the budget. Media representatives will also have the opportunity to question Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Finance, and other ministers during a news briefing.

The agenda for the lock-in is as follows:

9:15 a.m. - Lock-in area opens
9:30 a.m. - Copies of budget and accompanying documents distributed
11:30 a.m. - News briefing
1:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:55 p.m. - Media representatives move to the House of Assembly

Media representatives may enter the lock-in at any time during the day. Upon entering, however, a person must remain in the lock-in until 1:55 p.m.

Accreditation forms, available from the Communications and Consultation Branch, must be completed and signed prior to entering the lock-in. Media representatives are requested to complete these forms and return them by Friday, March 17 at 5 p.m. Further information can be obtained by contacting Doris Walsh at (709) 729-3812, fax 729-0584.

2000 03 14                                            2:00 p.m.