News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER WRITES PREMIER GORDON CAMPBELL ON PLAN TO RESTORE FISCAL BALANCE IN CANADA

March 19, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

The plan announced today is based on national principles, while treating each province fairly and meeting the government's commitments.

Prime Minister Harper's letter highlighted the following issues:

The fiscal balance plan meets the Government's commitments regarding the treatment of natural resource revenues.

The fiscal balance plan protects British Columbia with a number of transition provisions related to Equalization, the Canada Social Transfer and the Canada Health Transfer.

Budget 2007 also recognizes the need to invest more in infrastructure of national importance, and specifically commits to increase the Government's support for the Asia-Pacific Gateway by $1 billion.

Prime Minister Harper concluded that "our plan delivers important and lasting benefits to the people of British Columbia."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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