Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, said today that pre-budget consultations would continue this week in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony.

"While much of the budget funding has been notionally allocated for areas like health and education, we do have about $100 million in additional funding this year for other needs," said the minister. "We will be looking at public sector compensation, student tuition reductions and other areas of need as determined through these public consultations ." The minister said she expected about 50 per cent of the $100 million to be used for public sector increases.

The minister said that after a meeting with NAPE today, that the union is preparing to travel around the province to take a strike vote while there are still hundreds of outstanding proposals to deal with through negotiations. She said cooperation among all negotiating parties would be necessary if an agreement is to be reached.

Media contact, Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-2858.

2001 02 19 5:55 p.m.