Explainers
Short guides for understanding the fiscal, market, and methodology concepts behind the terminal.
How Alberta's Budget Depends On Oil Prices
Oil prices affect royalties, corporate profits, investment conditions, and the broader fiscal story behind Alberta's budget.
What Is The WTI-WCS Differential?
The WTI-WCS differential is the discount between a light oil benchmark and Western Canadian Select.
Why The Canadian Dollar Matters For Alberta's Budget
Oil is priced in US dollars, while Alberta reports its budget in Canadian dollars.
Natural Gas And Alberta's Fiscal Outlook
Natural gas is not the main budget lever in the terminal, but price changes still matter.
What Alberta's Budget Sensitivity Table Means
Sensitivity tables translate changes in key variables into estimated fiscal impacts.
How To Read The Alberta Budget Terminal Model
The terminal is designed to show current conditions, scenario controls, and source transparency on one page.
What Is A Fiscal-Year-To-Date Update?
Fiscal-year-to-date numbers show official results for part of the budget year.
Why This Model Is Not An Official Forecast
The terminal is a transparent scenario model, not a replacement for official fiscal reporting.
Alberta Budget Glossary
A quick reference for fiscal balance, WTI, WCS, differential, royalties, and related terms.
Data Sources Used By Alberta Budget Terminal
The terminal combines published fiscal assumptions with public market and macroeconomic data feeds.