ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Most Canadian parliamentary traditions have their roots in British history.
But one that does not is that of finance ministers wearing new shoes on the day they deliver their budgets.
What is said to be a made-in-Canada tradition is said to have started 65 years ago with federal finance minister Walter Edward Harris in 1955. Since them many — although not all — of Harris’s successors in the job have done the same. However, not all the specially-chosen footware has been new — Jim Flaherty made a statement with re-soled shoes in 2006 — and not all have actually been shoes — John Crosbie famously wore mukluks as he delivered his only budget as Canadian finance minister in 1979.
The tradition has since extended to the provincial level, including in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Siobhan Coady, who is presenting the first budget as the province’s finance minister, tweeted out a picture of the shoes she is wearing today.
It turns out they were a present.
“My friend gave me these shoes some time ago and said they were for my first budget,” said Coady on her Twitter account (@Siobhan CoadyNL).
“They were a gift, on sale, and have coin on them. How much better does it get for budget day shoes? Caring for another, being financially responsible and pennies from heaven.”
