Minister Noel proclaims April as Financial Awareness Month

Walter Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands, today proclaimed April as Financial Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Throughout the month, the Department of Government Services and Lands will conduct various activities to inform the general public about savings and investments, mortgage brokering, real estate, insurance, pensions, and landlord-tenant issues.

Minister Noel said: "Financial literacy is essential to the financial stability of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We want to ensure that citizens are in a position to make well-informed, educated decisions about where and how they invest and manage their personal incomes."

Activities in Newfoundland and Labrador are part of a North American effort to promote financial awareness. On Wednesday, April 3, the minister will meet with Denise Voigt Crawford of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). Ms. Voigt Crawford is the Securities Commissioner for Texas and a former president of NASAA. Throughout her career, she has been extremely active in promoting consumer awareness and education.

The minister said: "Our Securities Commission has teamed up with NASAA to develop a six-part financial planning course aimed at young couples. We will outline the details of this program on Wednesday, when Ms. Voigt Crawford arrives in the province. At the same time, we will provide additional details regarding our Financial Awareness Month activities."

A copy of the Financial Awareness Month proclamation follows.

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860.

WHEREAS financial literacy is essential to the financial stability of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians; and,

WHEREAS the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador should be in a position to make well-informed, educated decisions about where and how they invest and manage their personal income; and,

WHEREAS the Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch of the Department of Government Services and Lands seeks to heighten consumers� awareness of the basics of investing and the importance of financial literacy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WALTER NOEL, Minister of Government Services and Lands, do hereby proclaim the month of April, 2002 as

throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and urge all citizens to observe this month in ways significant to its importance. Be it further resolved that the Department of Government Services and Lands will conduct activities to educate on the importance of savings and investing during this month and throughout the year.

DATED at St. John�s, Newfoundland and Labrador, this 1^st day of April, 2002.

Walter Noel
Minister

2002 04 01               2:40 p.m.