By-election Results Welcomed

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien tonight thanked Canadians in Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario for their strong vote of confidence by electing five Liberal MPs in federal by-elections.

"By-elections are traditionally very difficult tests for governments," said the Prime Minister. "The strong vote of support that we have received from Canadians tonight, halfway through our mandate, is a vote of confidence in the Government's performance and its approach to the issues facing Canadians. We will do everything we can to continue earning that trust and confidence throughout the remainder of our mandate."

The Prime Minister welcomed five new Members of Parliament to the Government Caucus: Gerald Byrne, Roy Cullen, Stéphane Dion, Lawrence O'Brien and Pierre Pettigrew. He also welcomed the new MP for Lac-Saint-Jean, Stéphan Tremblay. And he congratulated all those who ran as candidates in the federal by-elections. "Running for public office is the highest calling in a democracy. I salute all those -- from all parties -- who had the courage and conviction to stand before their fellow citizens."

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