Albertans pay far more into federal finances than they get back.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Summary
On the present record this is accurate, with an important caveat. The Fraser Institute estimates Alberta's net contribution to federal finances, federal taxes paid minus federal money spent in the province, at $244.6 billion from 2007 to 2022, far more than any other province. This reflects Alberta's younger population and higher incomes. The figure is real, but it is a net fiscal contribution across all federal programs and is not the same thing as equalization payments.
Evidence
The Fraser Institute estimates Alberta's net contribution to federal finances at $244.6 billion from 2007 to 2022, more than five times that of B.C. or Ontario.
This net contribution comes through the common federal tax system, which all Canadians pay into regardless of province; it is distinct from the equalization program.