Manitoba minister kicks budget day tradition to curb, gives refugee family new shoes

Finance ministers traditionally show off a pair of new shoes on the day of their first provincial budget to lighten the mood, but this year the Progressive Conservatives decided to take things in a different direction.

• Brian Pallister and PC government table first budget today

"We thought in our first budget as Manitoba government, rather than do something empty to satisfy a tradition, we would instead follow the Manitoba values of inclusiveness and generosity," Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said.

Friesen held a news conference Tuesday morning at Manitoba Welcome Place, an organization dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants settle in Manitoba.

Friesen gave new pairs of sneakers to the Teweldes, an Eritrean family of five who recently relocated to Winnipeg via Sudan. Senat, 5, the youngest of three children in the family, scored a pair of pink New Balance sneakers.

Friesen said as a father of three, he understands how little costs add up quickly and can put a strain on any family budget.

"It's tough for families to make those ends meet," he said. "Today we're helping this family in one small way."

The gesture represents the focus on saving families money on taxes that will be reflected in the budget being tabled Tuesday, Friesen said.

Rossmere MLA Andrew Micklefield added that the province has a long-standing history of welcoming newcomers to Manitoba, and the new government plans to continue down that path. About 3,000 refugees are expected to be brought to Manitoba over the next year, Micklefield said.