The Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing was announced by Minister Goodale on March 21, 2005 to undertake an independent review of the Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing programs. This follows on an agreement reached in October 2004 among First Ministers to consider further changes to strengthen these programs. The Panel will report to the Minister of Finance Canada by spring 2006. The Panel’s goal is to help the Government of Canada ensure that Canadians, wherever they reside, receive from their provincial and territorial governments reasonably comparable public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.