Achi news desk-
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland chose a new pair of Canadian-designed shoes on Monday ahead of the federal government’s 2024 budget submission.
This year, Freeland chose a pair of black leather heels from a footwear brand from Montreal: Maguire Shoes, an independent, direct-to-consumer business owned by sisters Miriam and Romi Maguire.
According to the brand’s website, its focus is “working to make high-quality fashion footwear fair and accessible.”
The choice of the brand owned by a pair of entrepreneurs from Canada’s millennial group is probably another way in which the government emphasizes the purpose of the budget, which is to help ease the pressures on the younger generations.
Canadian political tradition
Buying a new pair of shoes before introducing an annual budget has become a political tradition for Canadian finance ministers and usually the choice of shoe is seen as an indicator of what is expected in the budget.
In 2015, for example, then finance minister Joe Oliver chose a pair of New Balance running shoes before presenting a balanced budget.
This isn’t the only odd selection over the years. In 1994, then finance minister Paul Martin was given a pair of work boots by Jean Chrétin, and Jim Flaherty decided to renew his shoes for both the 2008 and 2011 federal budgets.
The budget comes amid affordability challenges
The Liberals plan to introduce a series of measures in Tuesday’s budget to help put a stop to Canada’s housing crisis. However, the new spending comes amid concerns about a sizable federal deficit and the possibility of a tax hike — something Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ruled out for the middle class.
Even so, the finance minister says Canada is at a “crucial moment” that requires spending as an affordability crisis puts price pressure on the population and a severe housing shortage has driven young Canadians out of the real estate market.
“There is an urgent need today to invest in Canada, and in Canadians… this is something we need to do something about. It requires investments. We are making them,” Freeland said on April 9.
With files from CTV News’ Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press
