The Reference Branch of the Library of Parliament is frequently asked the origins of the "tradition" according to which the Finance Minister wears new shoes on budget day.

Hoping to solve the riddle once and for all we undertook a systematic search with the following results:

The notion that this practice stems from a British tradition can be laid to rest. We have it from the British High Commission that the Westminster tradition allows the Chancellor of the Exchequer to carry into the House an "old despatch box" (1) and to take any liquid refreshment of his own choosing while delivering his budget speech (2).

At least one Canadian Minister of Finance, M. William S. Fielding (1898-1911, 1922-23) followed, in part, this British custom by entering the House of Commons with his "little red despatch box" (3).

The Canadian practice of wearing new shoes is a fairly recent one and, in spite of our efforts, its origin remains mysterious.

To try and solve the mystery we telephoned every Minister of Finance (or their assistants) from Douglas C. Abbott to Michael Wilson.

The outcome of these conversations is that no minister of Finance knows the reason or origin of this practice. Some believe it is a British tradition, others say that it isn't a Canadian tradition at all, while yet others state the tradition is of fairly recent origin dating back only to the fifties or sixties.

In fact, only seven Ministers of Finance have worn new shoes on budget days. Mitchell Sharp (4) being the first, followed by Chrétien, Crosbie (who innovated by wearing "mukluks"), Lalonde, Wilson, Martin (who wore boots, the gift of Jean Chrétien) and Goodale.

We also checked Hansard from 1938 to 1970 and read Ottawa newspaper reports of budget presentations since 1930 (5). The first time a mention of new shoes is made is on April 11, 1978 when Jean Chrétien was minister of Finance.

Other people were also contacted - political analysts, academics, journalists, civil servants - but no one could bring additional information to bear on the issue.

1. Wilding, Norman amd Philip Laundy. An encyclopedia of Parliament. See Despatch box; Budget Box. House Magazine 10:1, 3 March 15, 1985; Le nouveau budget britannique ouvre la voie à des élections anticipées. Le Devoir 16 mars 1987. p. 5.
2. Idem. See Budget.
3. Ottawa Journal March 2, 1943; June 21, 1946.
4. House of Commons. Debates. Nov. 30, 1967. p. 4899.
5. Robert Bryce, the Finance Dept. historian, having stated that no such practice existed during the thirties or before.