“Whether that’s a 5-year plan or a 10-year plan, it shouldn’t be much longer that, every single province should be able to be as independent as B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.”<\/p>\n
Smith admits she hasn’t made much headway on getting changes to equalization let alone getting provinces even an centimetre closer to getting off the equalization magic carpet ride.<\/p>\n
“You’re asking the people at the table who are benefitting from it to change the program. Of course, they’re going to be opposed to it,” says Smith.<\/p>\n
“But it’s still not fair. It creates division.”<\/p>\n
No kidding.<\/p>\n
Smith says equalization doesn’t look at a so-called have-not province’s spending when doling out the dough.<\/p>\n
The Alberta premier says Quebec is spending thousands more a year per person than Alberta but they are the biggest snout at the equalization trough.<\/p>\n
Smith says transfers of money go to Quebec “to pay for richer social programs than anyone else can afford. It’s not fair.”<\/p>\n
![\"Alberta](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/calgary_herald_articles_312\/a60c6750d5145a8d759ad3bbf969bd11.jpeg\"\/)
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Calgary on Friday, May 15, 2026.<\/p>\n
The premier adds the surplus dollars in the equalization pot go to top up provinces already getting equalization and Ontario, says Smith, was “next in line and they got about $700 million last year.”<\/p>\n
Alberta received\u2026hands up \u2026 zilch. The square root of squat.<\/p>\n
An important question. I’ll spell it out. IMPORTANT QUESTION.<\/p>\n
Does Smith believe realistically we will see a real change to equalization?<\/p>\n
“I gave my best pitch to the prime minister.”<\/p>\n
“It’s a serious issue, the fact equalization is administered so unfairly,” says Smith.<\/p>\n
“People don’t like it when we’re treated unfairly.”<\/p>\n
“I’ve put forward a paper on how to change it. There have been provinces who’ve gone to court to try to change it.”<\/p>\n
The Alberta premier mentions the Saskatchewan premier.<\/p>\n
“Scott Moe has proposed a way to change it. I’ve proposed a way to change it. In the end it’s going to be up to the prime minister to change it in a way that’s fair to the provinces.”<\/p>\n
Smith repeats her objection.<\/p>\n
“We shouldn’t be overcompensating provinces so they get to deliver more generous services than we’re able to afford.”<\/p>\n
Hands up \u2026 how many think Prime Minister Mark Carney will overhaul equalization?<\/p>\n
After all, the prime minister always tells us he’s an Albertan through and through, just a kid from Edmonton who loves his “home province.”<\/p>\n
“It’s a federal program,” continues Smith.<\/p>\n
“That’s part of the problem, right?”<\/p>\n
Smith says Alberta and other provinces can have input into the rules around equalization but ultimately it’s up to Ottawa to decide what’s what.<\/p>\n
So what does Smith say to those demanding a a big change to equalization or getting rid of it altogether.<\/p>\n
“It’s not my program. It’s the federal program.”<\/p>\n
The premier looks to possible happier times down the line.<\/p>\n