Provinces that receive equlization payments

The Canadian provinces currently receiving equalization payments (for 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years) are:

• Quebec (by far the largest recipient, ~$13.9 billion for 2026–27)
• Manitoba (~$5.0 billion)
• Nova Scotia (~$3.5 billion)
• New Brunswick (~$3.3 billion)
• Prince Edward Island (~$723 million)
• Ontario (smaller amount, around $400 million)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (smaller amount, around $180–200 million)

Key Notes

• These are the seven “have-not” provinces that qualify based on the federal formula, which measures fiscal capacity (ability to generate revenue from taxes like personal income, corporate, and sales taxes).
• Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan do not receive equalization payments, as they are considered “have” provinces with stronger fiscal capacity (mainly due to natural resources).
• Equalization is an unconditional federal transfer meant to help less wealthy provinces provide reasonably comparable public services at reasonably comparable tax rates. The total program is around $26–27 billion annually.

Amounts can change slightly year to year based on economic data, but the list of recipient provinces has been stable in recent years (with Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador receiving smaller/occasional amounts)