Alberta pays into equalization every year and gets nothing back.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Summary
Provinces do not pay money into an equalization fund. Equalization is paid out of the federal government's general revenue under section 36(2) of the Constitution, so there is no provincial contribution to get back. There is a real number behind the grievance, Alberta's net contribution to federal finances, but that is a separate measure that includes all federal taxes and spending, not equalization. Treating the two as the same thing gives a misleading picture.
Evidence
Equalization is financed entirely from federal general revenue; the federal government confirms provincial governments make no contributions to the program.
The Library of Parliament likewise states the program is fully funded from federal revenues and that provinces do not pay into it.
Library of Parliament (Canada's Equalization Formula) (opens in a new tab)
The real figure behind the argument is Alberta's net contribution to federal finances, estimated at $244.6 billion from 2007 to 2022, which measures something different from equalization.