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Ottawa, April 7, 2006
2006-006

Minister of Finance Tables 2006–07 Debt Management Strategy

Related Document:

• Debt Management Strategy - 2006–2007

Minister of Finance James M. Flaherty today tabled the Government of Canada’s Debt Management Strategy for fiscal year 2006–07 in Parliament.

The Minister said that the Debt Management Strategy is focused on maintaining a prudent debt structure and an efficient market for Government of Canada securities.

Reflecting the Government’s declining borrowing needs, the strategy has aimed since 2002–03 to reduce the fixed-rate portion of the debt to 60 per cent in 2007–08 from two thirds. Once complete, this is estimated to save up to $500 million a year on average.

Among other changes, the maturity date of new 5-year bond issues will change from

September 1 to June 1 to make them interchangeable with outstanding bonds. The Government will continue to issue all the current benchmark bonds (i.e. 2-, 5-, 10- and 30-year). It will forgo one quarterly auction of the 2- and 5-year bonds where previous bond issues already provide a source of liquidity to the marketplace.

The Debt Management Strategy provides details on federal borrowing and investment policies for the coming fiscal year and is based on extensive consultations with market participants. A summary of the views expressed is available on the Bank of Canada website at www.bankofcanada.ca/en/notices_fmd/2006/not060406.html.

The Debt Management Strategy is available free of charge on the Department of Finance Canada website.

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