For Immediate Release September 27, 2006

New and novel way of doing business --
‘Cutting expenses and Paying down debt’

Ottawa (September 27, 2006) -- Ed Komarnicki, MP, (Souris-Moose Mountain).

Komarnicki stated, “like any family managing their budget, it is a good form of discipline to cut spending and paying down debt. We said in Budget 2006 that we would eliminate $1 Billion in spending and this has been accomplished in several ways:
- as to 37% by reclaiming unused allocated funding;
- as to 27% by elimination programs that did not provide value for money;
- as to 26% by ensuring program efficiencies; and
- as to 10% by canceling non-core programs.

“It is the first time in nine years that program spending has declined. This is something very different from the Liberal end of year spending spree” said Komarnicki.

“Additionally, the overall debt was reduced by applying $13.4 Billion of surplus funds against the national debt of $482 Billion dollars. This represents one of the largest ever debt reductions in Canadian history”, said Komarnicki.
“It means, as the Minister of Finance stated in the House of Commons, that some $650 Million dollars will be saved annually in interest payments alone” said Komarnicki.

“The need to be careful when in spending taxpayers’ money is something that we need to be continually disciplined about. Just from the annual savings in interest payments, we will be able to provide for effective and efficient programs into the future, as well as delivering long overdue tax reductions. It will be my job to continue to press the Agricultural file as one of those areas that deserves our vigilance and continued attention, as well as targeted financial spending to put agriculture back on its feet” stated Komarnicki.

“There is always some pain involved when cutting program spending, especially when the cuts directly effects a program or area that effects us. That is understandable and there is no easy way to make spending cuts acceptable to everyone” commented Komarnicki. “But at the same time, I feel it is important that our Government keeps its promise to Canadian families and taxpayers by reigning in spending and reducing the debt”, stated Komarnicki.

“I agree completely with the analysis of the National Post where they stated in their September 26th edition that, ‘By socking away the surplus rather than wasting it on Liberal-style giveaways and boondoggles, Mr. Harper is protecting the long-term fiscal health of this country” concluded Komarnicki.