Understanding how the budget is built Planning a $20 billion budget is a monumental task that requires a great deal of cross-government coordination and cooperation.

Planning and preparation for the upcoming budget takes most of the year. The government must ensure that budget plans fit within the province’s available revenues and stay within the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The government also provides quarterly updates that show how the province’s revenues and expenses compare to budget and explain why changes have occurred. These quarterly updates keep Albertans informed of how the government is managing its finances and what activities the government has undertaken in support of the goals in the government business plan.

Find out how the budget process works by watching the Budget 101 video. Or go to Budget 2004 - On Route, On Course - Heading Toward Alberta's Second Century, released on March 24, 2004.

To see the information referred to in the presentation, visit Finance’s Publications section:

• Budget documents and quarterly updates
• Annual Report of the Government of Alberta

Watch Budget 101:
Understanding how the budget is built

Read the script