The Road Ahead: All about the Alberta budget

In the weeks leading up to the release of Alberta's 2018 budget, CBC Calgary brought you a series of articlesexploringthe issues, numbers and context that surround this province's difficult financial situation.

The stories are part of a larger series we callThe Road Ahead, which takes an in-depth look at our province as it emerges from a challenging recession and forges a new path forward.

These aren't your typical stories. They delveinto the details in a way the daily news cycle can't. They embracecomplexity and exploreideas. They raise questions but don't necessarily offer answers. They aim to be a catalyst for discussion.

In case you missed them, here are summaries of and links to each article in the budget series.

Glory days ahead vs. impending doom: The political rhetoric over Alberta's financial future

A look at the rhetoric of numbers leading up to the budget, and how both parties spin numbers to further their own claims. We examine how that's done and how it's spun.

Alberta's budget: You've heard the spin, now take a look at the real numbers

The budget is complicated enough on its own, let alone with multiple layers of political spin piled on top. So we've boiled down the key numbers for you.

Alberta's debt is growing, so how much is too much for Albertans?

Alberta is still borrowing, and that's become a political weapon. The UCP is hammering the NDP, suggesting Alberta is set to plunge off a fiscal cliff.But how close to the edge are we, actually?Brooks DeCillia on the politics of debt and deficit.

Borrow-and-spend vs. tax-and-cut: How Alberta and Saskatchewan deal with deficit

Faced with similar financial dilemmas, these provinces made very different choices. Who's right remains a matter of debate.

Jason Kenney's relationship with carbon taxes: It's complicated

The United Conservative Party is talking about scrapping the NDP's Climate Leadership Plan while bringing back a PC-era price on carbon for large emitters. What would that mean for Alberta? We delve into the details.

We need to have a 'difficult conversation' about Alberta's health-care costs

Spending has been soaring particularly on our oldest patients and at this rate, something's got to give.

An Alberta sales tax: The unpopular idea that just won't die

Alberta became the first province in Canada to adopt a sales tax in 1936 and the first province to repeal a sales tax in 1937. We've been without a PST ever since, but have never stopped talking about bringing one back.

Alberta spends $2.4M an hour on health care here's what's being done to reduce it

The provincial government knows it needs toslow coststo bend the ever increasing upward line on health-care spending. The governing NDPmust, in fact,contain health spending to helpbalance the province's booksby 2023-24. Here's what's been done, so far, and what's in store.

The Road AheadisCBCCalgary's special focus on our city as we build the city we want the city we need. It's the place for possibilities.A marketplace of ideas. So. Have an idea? Email usat:calgarytheroadahead@cbc.ca

More from the series: