The federal government today launched the 2005-2006 Canada Savings Bonds sales campaign with its theme “2005 Year of the Veteran and Victory Bonds”.

“In this Year of the Veteran we are recognizing the contributions made by the women and men who have served Canada in uniform,” said Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale, in a news release. “It is also fitting that we recognize the contributions made on the Canadian home front, one of which was the Victory Loan Program and the purchase of Victory Bonds.”

This year’s campaign theme was chosen to mark its roots in the Victory Bond program, and to honour several key events: the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the 2005 Year of the Veteran and the upcoming 60th anniversary of CSBs.

CSB Series 96 and the Canada Premium Bond (CPB) Series 46 are now on sale from today until Nov. 1.

CSB Series 96, with an issue date of Nov. 1, 2005, and a 10-year term to maturity, will carry an interest rate of 2.00% for the first year that may be increased if market conditions warrant. The CSB can be cashed at any time.

The Department also announced today that the maturity date of Nov. 1, 2005, on CSB Series 48 (Nov. 1, 1993) has been extended to Nov. 1, 2015. The bonds will continue to earn interest at competitive rates.

Outstanding CSB Series 46 (Nov. 1, 1991), CSB Series 47 (Nov. 1, 1992), CSB Series 48 (Nov. 1, 1993), CSB Series 49 (Nov. 1, 1994), CSB Series 50 (Nov. 1, 1995), CSB Series 52 (Nov. 1, 1997), CSB Series 54 (Nov. 1, 1998), CSB Series 60 (Nov. 1, 1999), CSB Series 66 (Nov. 1, 2000), CSB Series 72 (Nov. 1, 2001), CSB Series 78 (Nov. 1, 2002), CSB Series 84 (Nov. 1, 2003), and CSB Series 90 (Nov. 1, 2004) will carry the same rate as that announced for CSB Series 96 for the bond year Nov. 1, 2005, to Oct. 31, 2006.

CPB Series 46, with an issue date of Nov. 1, 2005, and a 10-year term to maturity, will carry an interest rate of 2.25% for the first year, rising to 2.50% for the second year and 2.75% for the third year. The annual compound rate of return, based on these guaranteed rates, will be 2.49% if held for the three years. The interest rates posted for years one through three are guaranteed and may be increased up until the issue date if market conditions warrant. Once the issue date has passed, no changes to the posted interest rates will be made. The CPB is redeemable once a year on the anniversary of the issue date and during the 30 days thereafter.

CSB Series 96 and CPB Series 46, together with their no-fee retirement savings plan option, are available for purchase online at www.csb.gc.ca, by phone toll-free at 1 888 773-9999, or wherever Canadians bank or invest.

Non-certificated CSB Series 96 and CPB Series 46 are available from authorized investment dealers. The Dec. 1, 2005, series of the CSB and the CPB are expected to be available Nov. 2, 2005.

As in the past, Finance reserves the right to terminate sales at any time.