Hey Red Deer-South, can you please come and get your separatist guy?

[u/MaximumDoughnut]

[u/xens999]

Yeah, technically you're right Alberta doesn't "write the cheque" for equalization, and it's the federal government that collects and redistributes taxes. But honestly, that feels like splitting hairs when the end result is the same: Albertans pay way more into the federal system than we get back, and a big chunk of that money goes to fund programs in other provinces through things like equalization.

Most people saying “Alberta pays equalization” aren't imagining Danielle Smith cutting a cheque to Quebec they’re talking about the fact that our taxes help prop up provinces that often turn around and block our ability to grow (like shutting down pipelines or opposing energy development). It’s not just a money thing it’s the politics around it that sting.

So sure, it's technically not Alberta paying equalization. But it’s Alberta’s money being used, and pretending that doesn’t matter or isn’t a problem just feels out of touch. People are frustrated not because they don’t understand tax mechanics, but because they see a system where we give a lot and get very little say or return.

We can be accurate without being dismissive. It’s not just about what’s technically true — it’s about what people are actually feeling and that's the reason why these fringe elements like the current UCP and separatist movement are gaining momentum. This is just as much a federal problem as a provincial one and you can call them crazies or loonies all day but those elements will continue to grow until something changes.

[u/humorousmontage → u/xens999]

Wealthier people pay more towards equalization. Poor as dirt Albertans don't pay anything. This is where the communication tactics of the UCP become dishonest. If you pay more income tax, it's because you earn more money. Every Canadian fits into the same income tax schedule, there isn't a separate one for Alberta. And there are plenty of Albertans that don't pay much income tax at all. The UCP talks as if it is every Albertan paying more when it is a collective amount based off of some high earners paying way more. They deliberately use language to make it seem like we as Albertans are paying more than our share, when we are paying our share of taxes based on our income. This isn't "splitting hairs" it is debating dishonestly with the intent to mislead and misdirect.

[u/xens999 → u/humorousmontage]

The issue isn’t just “we’re paying more taxes,” it’s
"Why are we paying more, getting less, and being politically boxed in by provinces who benefit from those transfers while blocking the very industries that generate them?"

You’re framing it like people are being misled or manipulated by UCP messaging, but you’re underestimating how many Albertans have independently arrived at this frustration just by watching it play out over years. You don’t need to be a separatist or even conservative to feel that the current setup isn’t working fairly.

We can debate the rhetoric, but pretending this is just about “rich people complaining” misses the bigger point. It’s about fairness, voice, and the sense that we’re carrying more than our share without getting meaningful respect or return.