Original sentence: Chrétien turned most of his attention to reducing the large national debt he had inherited from the Trudeau and Mulroney eras.During his tenure as prime minister a $42 billion deficit was eliminated, five consecutive budget surpluses were recorded, $36 billion in debt was paid down, and taxes were cut by $100 billion (cumulatively) over five years
Edited sentence: Chrétien turned most of his attention to reducing the large national debt he had inherited from the Trudeau era.Due to positive economic conditions a $42 billion deficit was eliminated, five consecutive budget surpluses were recorded, $36 billion in debt was paid down, and taxes were cut by $100 billion (cumulatively) over five years