Alberta Fiscal Transfer
Alberta Equalization
$4,167 per person leaves the province every year. And it's only getting worse.
$4,167
Per Albertan, Per Year
Last updated: January 2026 · Sources: StatsCan Table 36-10-0450-01, Fairness Alberta
Per Albertan Per Year
$4,167
Net fiscal transfer out
Total Annual Transfer
~$20B
Leaves Alberta each year
Alberta Receives
$0
In equalization payments
What Is Equalization?
Equalization is a federal transfer program enshrined in the Constitution (Section 36). It transfers money from the federal government to provinces with below-average “fiscal capacity” (the ability to raise revenue).
But equalization is just part of the story. Alberta's NET fiscal transfer (federal taxes paid minus federal spending received) is much larger. Albertans send approximately $20 billion MORE to Ottawa than they receive back in all federal programs combined.
Think of it this way: Every dollar you send to Ottawa, you get less back than residents of receiving provinces. The gap is $4,167 per person per year, and growing.
2025-26 Equalization Payments by Province
| Province | Total (millions) | Per Capita |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $13,567M | $1,541 |
| Manitoba | $4,689M | $3,349 |
| Nova Scotia | $3,465M | $3,465 |
| New Brunswick | $3,123M | $3,904 |
| PEI | $666M | $3,918 |
| Ontario | $546M | $35 |
| Newfoundland | $113M | $213 |
| Alberta | $0 | $0 |
| Saskatchewan | $0 | $0 |
| British Columbia | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $26,169M | - |
Source: Department of Finance Canada
$544 Billion Since 2000
Alberta's cumulative net fiscal transfer from 2000-2023 totals $544 billion. That's approximately $113,000 per Albertan sent to Ottawa beyond what we received back.
Net fiscal transfer = federal taxes paid by Albertans minus federal spending in Alberta. Source: Fairness Alberta / StatsCan Table 36-10-0450-01.
The Historical Record
According to Statistics Canada and Fairness Alberta, Alberta's net fiscal transfer has ranged from $15-27 billion annually over the past decade.
2012-2018 Range
$15-27B
per year
2007-2022 Average
~$15B
per year (Fraser Institute)
Current Estimate
~$20B
per year
Source: StatsCan Table 36-10-0450-01, Fairness Alberta, Fraser Institute
Bill C-69: Adding Insult to Injury
While Alberta transfers billions to Ottawa, federal policies have actively harmed Alberta's economy. Bill C-69 (the “No More Pipelines Act”) was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Ruling (2023)
Key provisions of the Impact Assessment Act were struck down as unconstitutional federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction. But the damage to Alberta projects was already done.
Source: Supreme Court of Canada
What $4,167 Could Buy Instead
Every year, this amount leaves Alberta for each person. Here's what that money could buy:
3.5 months
of groceries for a family of 4
Based on $1,200/month average
7 years
of streaming services
Netflix + Spotify + Disney+ (~$50/mo)
$20B+
leaves Alberta annually
$4,167 × 4.8M Albertans
$544B
cumulative since 2000
~$113,000 per Albertan (2000-2023)
See Your Personal Contribution
Our calculator shows exactly how much of your taxes leave Alberta, plus the full breakdown of federal spending, including what goes to other provinces.
Calculate Your Tax Burden→Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Alberta pay in equalization?
Alberta's NET fiscal transfer to Ottawa averages ~$20 billion per year ($4,167 per person). This includes equalization plus other transfers where Alberta pays more than it receives. Historical data from StatsCan shows transfers of $15-27B annually, and it's only increasing.
Does Alberta receive any equalization payments?
No. Alberta receives $0 in equalization payments and has received virtually nothing since 1964-65. Alberta is one of only 3 provinces (with BC and Saskatchewan) that don't receive equalization.
How much has Alberta transferred to Ottawa since 2000?
Alberta's cumulative net fiscal transfer from 2000-2023 totals $544 billion. This is the total of federal taxes paid by Albertans minus federal spending in Alberta.
Which provinces receive the most equalization?
Quebec receives by far the most equalization: $13.6B in 2025-26. Manitoba receives $4.7B, Nova Scotia $3.5B, New Brunswick $3.1B. Ontario receives a small amount ($546M). Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan receive $0.
Why does Alberta pay so much?
Equalization is funded from general federal revenues. Albertans pay higher per-capita federal taxes due to higher incomes. Alberta's "fiscal capacity" is roughly $7,000 per person higher than Quebec's, meaning Alberta could raise more revenue at the same tax rates.
Can Alberta opt out of equalization?
No. Equalization is enshrined in the Constitution (Section 36). A 2021 Alberta referendum voted 61.7% to "remove equalization from the Constitution" but this was non-binding and would require constitutional amendment.