OTTAWA – On September 25, 2006, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and the Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board, started this week off with a bang by announcing the elimination of a number of wasteful and ineffective programs, a reduction in government spending and a large payment toward the national debt.

“This is yet another stellar example of how Canada’s New Government is working for the people it represents, not themselves,” says Jean. “We are treating taxpayers’ money as though it belongs to Canadians, and managing it with fiscal responsibility. Knocking $13.2 billion off the national debt will save Canadians $650 million per year in interest payments, which would have otherwise been paid using taxpayer dollars.”

Canada’s New Government has been able to reduce the debt, cut taxes and invest more resources into programs that are important to ordinary Canadians such as child care and safer streets. This was made possible by putting an end to the previous government’s year end spending sprees. A responsible and accountable approach, inspired by a clear sense of priorities, has been adopted by our new Conservative government.

For more information, please contact: Brian Jean (613) 992-1154 or (780) 743-2201