It seems every time you turn around there is yet another horror story about government waste and mismanagement. These dollars and cents sure add up fast. Next time a federal or provincial government politician is bellyaching that they can't afford to cut taxes and fund healthcare at the same time, remind them about some of these numbers.

$145 million:
The amount of money being handed out to individuals and groups to celebrate the turn of the century as part of the Canada Millennium Partnership Program.

$377,500:
The size of the grant to a New Brunswick organization under the Millennium Program to encourage people in Canada to fly specially designed "earth kites" to highlight the need for clean air.

$1.7 billion:
The amount of taxpayer dollars spent since 1968 to keep the Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO) mining high-polluting sulphurous coal for the Nova Scotia Power Company.

$328 million:
The additional cost of getting DEVCO off the taxpayer dole, including $69 million in loan write-offs, $41 million to cover recent losses, and another $68 million to "promote the long-term development of Cape Breton over the next four years."

$20,000:
The price tag for the severance package (aka "loser pay") provincial MLAs recently approved for themselves when they are defeated in an election.

14%:
The percent increase in daily allowances the MLAs also approved for themselves.

$200 million:
What the federal government admits spending on the gun registration program up to December 1, 1998.

Over $1 billion:
What many observers believe the gun registry will actually cost.

$354,191:
The amount of tax-free salary and other payments made to former chief Gabe Gopher of the Saulteaux Indian band in northern Saskatchewan between April and December 1998 before he was ousted last month.

$176,645:
The amount the former chief alone spent on travel during the same nine-month period.

$2.2 billion:
The cost to burn Russian weapons grade plutonium in Canada's nuclear reactors over a 25 year period according to a feasibility study by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

$1.5 million:
The cost of the CIDA study.

$150 million:
The taxpayer dollars lost by the federal Crown corporation Canadian Film Development Corporation (Telefilm) in 1998.

$11 billion:
The amount of tax money given to corporate Canada by the federal department of Industry through grants and loans between 1982 and 1997 according to research by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

49%:
The percentage of the $11 billion that went to 75 of Canada's largest and most profitable corporations.

$50,000:
The cost for a trip to Australia in February 1999 by two MPs, four provincial auditors, and two staff to attend a conference studying government waste.