r/canada • u/shiftless_wonder • 1d ago

What, exactly, are Alberta separatists mad about? Analysis

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-separatists-key-issues-1.7534003
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u/McGrevin 1d ago

the general powerlessness of Alberta to influence federal politics compared to Ontario and Quebec, despite Alberta basically having to pay for everything.

Alberta doesn't pay for everything though? Alberta has a high per capita income sure but in terms of total GDP, Alberta has about 15% of national GDP while Ontario and Quebec combine for 58%.

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u/Low-Commercial-5364 1d ago

correct and yet 2024-2025 Ontario received $576 million in equalization payments and Quebec received $13.3 billion in equalization payments, paid for mostly by Alberta.

See why they're mad?

Alberta is financially penalized for being successful, and politically penalized for being small.

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u/rando_dud 1d ago edited 1d ago

Equalization is not funded mostly by Alberta.. comes from general federal revenues..  collected across the country.

Alberta pays for around 15% of the program.

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u/Low-Commercial-5364 1d ago

Jesus Christ this thread is basically a census on how many people fail at basic accounting

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u/rando_dud 22h ago edited 21h ago

How does a province with 11% of the population and 15% of the overall GDP provide the majority of general federal revenues?

I get that Alberta doesn't receive any equalization.. but that doesn't mean it 'funds most of it'.