By Sarah Mills

Sask Finance Minister using loonie as reminder as provincial budget approaches

Mar 22, 2011 | 3:23 PM

The focus for Saskatchewan's Finance Minister won't be on his feet as he delivers the provincial budget Wednesday, as a unique symbol will highlight what the numbers really represent to him.

Ken Krawetz will be a wearing a regular pair of shoes from his wardrobe when he stands tomorrow, foregoing the traditional purchase of a new pair that comes along with presenting a new government budget.

“They're very comfortable,” he explained to reporters during an interview Tuesday. “They're a good solid base.”

That is exactly what the government wants you to see in the budget, Krawetz contends. He hints that the budget will provide a solid base that moves the province forward without the need for vote-grabbing gimmicks. He says there will still be new programs and initiatives, but he isn't saying what just yet.

In his pocket on budget day will be a shiny Rider loonie, serving as a reminder.

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“Every one of these loonies is a very precious loonie and we're going to try to deliver a budget that will show that,” he insists, stressing that governments need to remember that every taxpayer dollar counts.

While he suggests the government wants to put more of those dollars into people's pockets Krawetz won't say just how he intends to do that until Wednesday.

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