Jim Flaherty Chooses Roots for Federal Budget Ritual

An austerity budget last year meant Finance Minister Jim Flaherty broke the tradition of purchasing new shoes before presenting a new budget. Less spending for the nation meant he wouldn’t treat himself, either.

Today, when Flaherty presents the new federal budget, he’ll renew the tradition, wearing brand new footwear made by iconic Canadian clothing company Roots Canada. Yesterday in Toronto, he toured their factory with brothers Karl, Henry, Stan Kowalewski and Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman who’ve been a key part of the Roots process for more than 40 years.

Watch the clip above as they give the Minister a lesson in how to make quality footwear. So, we must ask, are Flaherty’s new shoes a sign that Ottawa will loosen their purse strings this year?