Flaherty announced on Monday that this year, the government is asking people to focus on specific issues and questions of national significance.

"This year, we are taking a different approach to pre-budget consultations," he stated. "Although our economic fundamentals are solid, we need to focus on the various risks and challenges that confront us. These include the impact of an economic slowdown in the US and ongoing turmoil in financial markets, the continuing need to adjust to a higher Canadian dollar and increasing global competition, as well as the aging of the Canadian population."

"We believe this approach will allow us to prepare a budget that better reflects the priorities of all Canadians," Flaherty added.

The specific questions contained in the consultation are:

1. What steps should the Government take in Budget 2008 (and beyond) to ensure that Canada is prepared to deal with the implications of an aging population?

2. Should the Government be implementing broad-based policies that will help all sectors of the economy to succeed or should it focus on developing policies to assist specific industries facing special challenges?

3. In what areas should the Government focus its resources in Budget 2008 (and beyond)? If resources need to be redirected from other areas, what areas should these be?

4. What steps should the Government take in Budget 2008 (and beyond) to ensure that the Canadian economy remains internationally competitive, continues to attract investment and creates high value-added jobs?

5. What tax and other measures should the Government take to ensure that Canada keeps its best and brightest, attracts highly skilled immigrants, encourages as many people as possible to enter the workforce, and rewards Canadians for their hard work, while respecting the Government's fiscal goals?

Last year, nearly 8,000 Canadians participated in the online consultation process.

This year, consultations will end at 12 midnight EST on February 11, 2008.

"A national budget affects all Canadians and I encourage everyone to take part in these pre-budget consultations," concluded Flaherty. "I value the input of Canadians and look forward to reviewing and reflecting upon what they have to say."