> But all the programs you listed and the eq. program are net transfers from rich (and less politically powerful [1]) to poorer provinces. Provinces don't pay

> But all the programs you listed and the eq. program are net transfers from rich (and less politically powerful [1]) to poorer provinces. Provinces don't pay tax. People do. They're net transfers from rich people (regardless of where they live) to poorer provinces. It just so happens that Alberta has a high per-capita income these days (not always the case). That's not a bad problem to have.