Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, shown March 8, 2013.SEAN KILPATRICK/The Canadian Press
If you're reading this, we're probably in the federal budget lockup. When Finance Minister Jim Flaherty releases the budget shortly after 4 p.m. ET, The Globe will provide full coverage of key areas, including infrastructure, skills training and defence cuts.
But it'll be a lot to understand all at once. Here's what you should read to get up to speed before the budget hits.
The primer: For a quick look at the major issues, read Barrie McKenna's explainer.
Infrastructure
In a letter to the Conservative caucus this week, Mr. Flaherty outlined three themes for the budget, including investment in infrastructure. That deal could well be worth over $30-billion long-term. Finance reporter Bill Curry has more on what the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are demanding.
Skills
Another of those themes is skills training. The idea is to grow the economy by boosting employment and addressing labour and skills shortages. Again, Bill Curry has the rundown.
Defence
To dig its way out of the deficit, the Conservatives may lean heavily on defence cuts. Jane Taber has more on what defence cuts could mean for Nova Scotia.
By the numbers
If you're reading about the budget, you're probably the type who likes numbers. Multimedia editor Stuart A. Thompson has taken a graphic look at the accuracy of economic forecasts in the budget, where the Main Estimates trim spending (likely a clue heading into the budget) and how closely departments have stuck to their original spending estimates.
Budgeting: the game
And if you've still got some time left, you should probably try out our interactive budget challenge.
Chris Hannay is The Globe and Mail's online politics editor.
Chris Hannay