OTTAWA: Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Federal Director, Walter Robinson, will be available in Ottawa for comment following the tabling of the federal budget. The budget will be tabled by Finance Minister Paul Martin between 4pm and 4:15pm (EST) in the House of Commons on Monday, February 28, 2000.

Mr. Robinson will be situated in the Railway Committee room (253-D Centre Block) on Parliament Hill providing analysis and comment on the details contained in the budget.

Mr. Robinson will also participate in the Deputy Minister's lock-up immediately before the budget (from 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm). The DM's lock-up takes place in Room 200, West Block, on Parliament Hill.

The CTF Budget 2000 news release will be available on the CTF web site at www.taxpayer.com by 4:30pm EST on February 28.

Note:
Due to wide-scale anticipation of tax relief measures, news organizations are strongly encouraged to book advance interviews for pre- or post-budget commentary to assure comment from the CTF. Interviews are being scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Interviews can be arranged by calling the CTF--Ottawa office at 613-234-6554 or 1-800-265-0442. Due to lockup restrictions and scheduling imperatives, media inquiries after 4pm on budget day should be directed to Mr. Robinson's national pager at 1-888-236-8490.