Thursday's provincial budget will be "practical" and "responsible," Alberta Finance Minister Lloyd Snelgrove says.

"The budget is a responsible budget with regards to maintaining our commitment to infrastructure spending," Snelgrove told reporters at a pre-budget gathering where finance ministers traditionally show off their new shoes.

Instead, Snelgrove shined up a pair of shoes he already owns. The new shoes will be on his wife's feet, he joked.

Snelgrove added Finance to his Treasury Board portfolio last month after his predecessor, Ted Morton, stepped down to run for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party.

Last month, controversy among the Tory caucus over the budget triggered the resignations of both Morton and Premier Ed Stelmach.

Morton, a well-known fiscal hawk, was said to want the government to make more spending cuts to balance the budget.

Last year under Morton's watch, the province projected it would end the 2010-11 year with a $4.7-billion deficit. Another multi-billion dollar deficit is expected this year.

While spending is anticipated to go down in some areas, it's expected health-care spending will not face cuts.

"I think our budget reflects that, no matter how tough things get, we look after those in Alberta that need our care," Snelgrove said. "The vulnerable Albertans — people who need medical care — we look after that and I think that's what this budget says."

Snelgrove sees boom ahead

The province is gearing up for another boom, Snelgrove said, and the government will continue building what is needed to allow the economy to grow.

The leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party, Danielle Smith, plans to deliver an alternative budget on Friday showing where cuts can be made.

She criticized the government for its infrastructure spending which she says doubles or triples what is spent in other provinces.

"And worse, we're building infrastructure that we can't afford to maintain or staff," she said. "How many hospitals do we have to open that are empty, just keeping the lights on, because we don't have enough money to hire nurses and doctors?"