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

Finance ministers traditionally show off a pair of new shoeson 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 CameronFriesensaid.

Friesenheld a news conference Tuesday morning at Manitoba Welcome Place, an organization dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants settlein Manitoba.

Friesengave new pairs ofsneakers to theTeweldes, anEritreanfamily 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 Balancesneakers.

Friesensaid 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 tabledTuesday, Friesen said.

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