Budget date announced

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, announced today that the provincial budget for the 2003-04 fiscal year will be brought down in the House of Assembly on Thursday, March 27 at 2 p.m.

The minister thanks the many individuals and organizations who participated in the pre-budget consultations at various locations throughout the province, as well as those who submitted written comments and advice on the direction government should take in developing Budget 2003-04.

"The strong turnout at each public session indicates the high level of public interest in the budget planning process," Minister Aylward said. Participants in the sessions included representatives from a wide range of sectors and interests such as youth, municipalities, education, health, economic development and social policy organizations, and business and labour.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications (709) 729-0329.