Inside Politics

UPDATED: Flaherty's footwear forecast

by Rosemary Barton Posted: February 26, 2010 5:11 PM Last Updated: March 1, 2010 4:14 PM

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(Chris Young/Canadian Press)

It is, of course, tradition for the finance minister to avail himself/herself of some new footwear for budget day.

It is a tradition that even the Library of Parliament can't explain, but it's our tradition and Jim Flaherty will play along again this Thurday.

The choice of shoe is often viewed as symbolic of what will be in the budget.

One year, Flaherty bought skates.

In 2008, as the economy was suffering, Flaherty opted just to have his shoes resoled for a mere $56.49. He said it suited the budget and was a sign it would be "prudent."

Last year, a different message: Flaherty spent $141.09, to buy a pair of black work shoes, a sign he was working to get Canadians back to work.

So, what shoe will Flaherty choose this year, for a budget that is likely to be thin on spending and even include cuts?

Flaherty is heading to Andrews Shoes in Whitby (his riding) on Monday. A quick call to Andrews Shoes reveals they deal in "fitting comfort shoes." And I can confirm for you that Flaherty will indeed be buying a dress shoes -- albeit, a comfortable pair.

New comfortable shoes? A sign the recession is over? And perhaps a subtle message to the electorate: a comfortable shoe (or government in this case) is better than a new one that doesn't quite fit.

UPDATE:

As predicted last Friday, Jim Flaherty did indulge in a pair of new shoes. And not just any shoes.

He bought a pair of comfortable ECCOs at a cost of $271.20. That's nothing to sneeze at.

As for Thursday, Flaherty says the government will show "how we will move forward and reduce the deficit over time, so that in the medium term, we can balance the budget in Canada."