March 5, 1999
(Finance)

Ministers release pre-budget consultation document and details of process

Finance Minister Paul Dicks and President of Treasury Board Anna Thistle today released details of the 1999 pre-budget consultation process along with the pre-budget consultation document, Making Choices: Our Choices, Our Future, Our Time. The document outlines the province's fiscal situation and invites input from the people of the province.

"This will be the fourth year that this government has sought the input of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," noted Minister Dicks. "As we complete this year's budgetary planning process, I am certain that we will again benefit from listening to the views of the people of this province."

Long-term fiscal planning has allowed the province to prudently manage its expenditures while making necessary investments in key areas, such as health, education and social services.

"We've stuck to our plan and have been successful in taking this province from a potential $230 million deficit in 1996 to our current surplus position," said Minister Thistle. "We will continue to plan carefully and spend wisely, to meet the needs of the people of this province."

This year's pre-budget consultation process will be similar to last year's process. Individuals may participate by contacting their MHA, or in one of the following ways:

- Call our toll-free phone number: 1-888-332-7442
- E-mail us at choices@fine.gov.nf.ca
- Visit us on the Internet at www.gov.nl.ca/choices
- Fax us at (709) 729-2232
- Forward written submissions to the minister by writing us at CHOICES, c/o Minister of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, P.O. Box 8700,      St. John's, NF A1B 4J6

The Making Choices: Our Choices, Our Future, Our Time booklet, available through our toll-free phone line (1-888-332-7442) or on the Internet at www.gov.nl.ca/choices, outlines the sources of government's funds, where our money is spent, our debt and the economic outlook for our 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 document is also available in alternate format.

Contact: Paula Dyke, Communications, (709) 729-0329.

----------------------------------

BACKGROUNDER

Electronic Town Halls

This year, government will again hold Electronic Town Halls as part of its pre-budget consultation process, linking a number of communities around the province to discuss pre-budget issues. On Wednesday, March 10, the Minister of Finance will hold an audio-conferencing session, and on Thursday, March 11, he will host a video-conferencing system, both made possible by technology available through MUN's Telemedicine/TETRA facilities.

The Minister of Finance will host the sessions from facilities in St. John's. Both sessions will be broadcast live on the Internet, making the discussion accessible by any Newfoundlander or Labradorian with a connection to the Internet. To access the live webcast at 7 p.m (6:30 p.m. in Labrador) both evenings go to www.gov.nl.ca or www.ce.mun.ca/townhall.

The first session will take place at 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. in Labrador) on Wednesday, March 10, and will include participants in Grand Falls-Windsor, Labrador City, St. Anthony, Twillingate, Lumsden, Burin, Harbour Breton, Bell Island, Carbonear, and Whitbourne (via audio-conferencing).

The second town hall will take place at 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. in Labrador) on Thursday, March 11 and will include participants in St. John's, Clarenville, Gander, Corner Brook, Stephenville and Port aux Basques, (by video-conferencing) and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nain and Forteau (via Internet video).

By holding two sessions government has the benefit of hearing from over 100 people from all regions of the province on pre-budget issues.

NOTE TO EDITORS: In St. John's there will be a designated media viewing room, the Genesis Board Room, 4th floor, Spencer Hall. A photo-opportunity with the ministers has been scheduled at the beginning of the session, and media will be escorted to the ministers' site from the Genesis Board Room.

1999 03 05                                   1:00 p.m.