The Alberta government has announced dates for its spring sitting of the legislature. There will be a speech from the throne to open a new session on Feb. 22.
Finance Minister Travis Toews will deliver the 2022 budget two days later on Feb. 24.
Alberta has had years of multibillion-dollar budget deficits, but high oil and gas prices have fuelled speculation Toews may be able to deliver a budget close to being balanced, if not free of red ink altogether.
Premier Jason Kenney must also call a byelection by the middle of February to fill a vacancy in the northern constituency of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche.
That race has already generated controversy given the UCP candidate is Brian Jean, who is running on a platform of trying to oust Kenney as premier.