CTF: Equalization costs each Albertan $650 in 2021
EDMONTON, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released analysis today showing equalization cost each Albertan an average of $650 this year.
“Alberta taxpayers have paid billions of dollars through equalization, but politicians in other provinces and Ottawa continue to make it harder for our families to put food on the table,” said Kevin Lacey, Alberta Director with the CTF and Campaign Director of Fight Equalization. “Albertans have been getting a raw deal and this equalization referendum is our chance to tell Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the equalization status quo must go.”
The CTF’s analysis uses government of Canada and government of Alberta data to estimate the cost of equalization to Albertans.
Key findings include:
Equalization has cost Alberta taxpayers $67 billion since its inception in 1957
The cost of equalization per Albertan has been $20,200 since 1957
In 2021, equalization will cost Alberta taxpayers $2.9 billion
On average, equalization will cost each Alberta $650 this year or $2,600 for a family of four.
Albertans have received less than 0.02 per cent of all equalization payments. The last equalization payment Alberta received was in 1964-65.
