Ontario has announced the members of the new Treasury Board working group, which will review program expenditures and service delivery to ensure that every dollar is spent even more effectively across the province.  The working group held its first meeting yesterday.

Like many other jurisdictions, Ontario is currently facing significant economic and fiscal challenges. A strategic spending review by Treasury Board was announced in the 2009 Fall Economic Statement to provide recommendations to Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance, that would return the province to firmer fiscal footing.  The goal of this review is to ensure the sustainability of the key services that matter most to Ontario families.

The working group will consist of the following people:  Attorney General Chris Bentley (co-chair), Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs Madeleine Meilleur (co-chair), Minister Without Portfolio Gerry Phillips, Minister of Tourism and Government House Leader Monique Smith, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman, Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne, Sophia Aggelonitis, Greg Sorbara and Maria Van Bommel.

Minister Duncan will present the next steps in the government's plan to reduce the deficit in the 2010 Budget.