Confederation is more than a crude balance sheet. But increased recognition of Alberta’s contribution would go a long way towards dampening separatist sentiment.
Alberta's Massive Net Contribution
Just since 2007 — the last 20 fiscal years — Alberta has contributed $321.9 billion more to the running of this country than it has received back in federal funding and services. The only other net contributors, according to a study released Tuesday by the Fraser Institute, are British Columbia, which has kicked in $87.8 billion, and Ontario ($59.6 billion).
But Alberta is far and away the revenue engine of Canada. Between B.C. and Ontario, the two have contributed $147.8 billion more than they have received, but together they are responsible for only 46 per cent as much of a share as Alberta.
Frustration with Ottawa
If you want to know why Alberta separatists (and millions of non-separatist Albertans) are frustrated and enraged with Ottawa, these figures are one of the main drivers, especially since so much of the money goes to Ottawa’s equalization schemes.
The other frustration with this imbalance is the lack of respect and recognition Alberta receives for its contribution. The federal government, especially when it is run by Liberals, is constantly condescending in a way it seldom is with other provinces.
Treatment of Alberta vs. Quebec
Albertans are not seen as team players, even when we are merely standing up for the authorities given to the provinces by the constitution. Other provinces can typically be convinced to go along with federal initiatives in provincial areas such as health and child care by promises of money from the federal government. Because Albertans often resist such intrusions in provincial jurisdiction, we are called bad Canadians.
This is the attitude of much of the Laurentian (central Canadian) elite. For instance, I can’t remember the last time a CBC story treated Alberta fairly. For as long as I can remember, and for decades before that, Alberta has been treated as an irritant and a second-class province.
On the other hand, consider the kid-gloves treatment Quebec receives. Quebec is by far — by far — the biggest consumer of federal funds. In the last 20 years, it has received $429.8 billion. That’s an average of more than $21 billion each and every year. Yet Quebec likes to boast about how superior its social services are. For instance cheap daycare and low university and college tuition. The federal government also holds up Quebec as an example other provinces should emulate. The national $10-a-day daycare scheme comes directly out of the Trudeau government’s admiration for the Quebec plan and their desire to spread the good word across the country.
