Budget 2001 roundtables announced

The Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board will hold a series of community roundtables beginning later this month to discuss budget priorities for 2001.

The roundtable discussions will provide people across Newfoundland and Labrador with the opportunity to advise government on the direction it should take in developing the budget for the next fiscal year. People are invited to share their views on government spending priorities and where the money to fund those priorities should come from.

Roundtable discussions with key stakeholders, groups and individuals will be held in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Marystown and St. John�s.

In addition to the community roundtables, the annual pre-budget Electronic Town Hall will be held on Saturday, February 17. The Electronic Town Hall will link the communities of Clarenville, Stephenville, Port aux Basques, Labrador City, Forteau, Whitbourne, Carbonear and Burin through video and audio conferencing made possible by technology available through Memorial University of Newfoundland�s Telemedicine/TETRA facilities.

To access the live webcast on the Internet beginning at 9:00 a.m. (8:30 a.m. in Labrador), go to www.gov.nl.ca or www.ce.mun.ca/townhall.

In addition to participating in the Electronic Town Hall or in a roundtable meeting, individuals and groups may participate in the pre-budget consultation by contacting their MHA, or in one of the following ways:

- Calling toll-free: 1-888-332-7442

- E-mailing: choices@mail.gov.nf.ca

- Logging onto the Internet at: /

- Faxing: (709) 729-2232

- Or writing: Making Choices, c/o Minister of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF A1B 4J6

The Making Choices booklet, available by calling toll-free 1-888-332-7442 or visiting www.gov.nl.ca, outlines the sources of government's funds, where money is spent, debt, and the economic outlook for the province. The booklet also contains a section to assist readers in making choices on fundamental budgetary issues. For those with special needs, the Making Choices booklet is also available in alternate formats.

Media contact: Lynn Barter, Communications, (709) 729-0084.

The dates and locations for the roundtable meetings are as follows:

2001 02 09            2:10 p.m.