Mandate

Fairness Alberta is a federally incorporated not-for-profit corporation that has been active for approximately 5 years. We have been active with proactive education and advocacy in various media and direct advocacy, including presenting to the House of Commons Finance Committee and have been successful in getting considerable national media coverage.

It is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring that future generations of Albertans can enjoy good jobs, economic opportunity, and a high quality of life, while receiving the respect they deserve for Alberta’s significant contributions to Canada. Formed by a group of passionate Albertans, the organization aims to educate Canadians about the magnitude of Alberta’s economic support to the nation and to raise awareness of the persistent barriers created by unfair federal policies—particularly related to fiscal and energy policy issues. Fairness Alberta remains focused on presenting clear, factual analysis and proposed solutions to inform and engage Canadians across the country. Through public education and advocacy, it seeks meaningful achievable reforms, to create a more equitable federation that benefits both Alberta and Canada as a whole.

How we are different

We are differentiated from other groups in the following respects:

  • Non-partisan
  • Fact-based
  • Focus on federal issues

News

Video

CBC Power & Politics - Watch Bill explain to Canadians the significance of the Equalization Referendum.

Alberta Primetime - Building an Equalization Reform coalition

Testimony on AB's economy, CFS, and Fiscal Stabilization to Commons Standing Committee on Finance

Lilley Unleashed: Alberta's message to Ontario - Don't let Trudeau screw us over!

Improving Fiscal Fairness in Canada

Ontario and the West – but especially Albertans – overpay for Equalization and other federal programs. Canada’s hopes for future prosperity are further damaged by federal economic policies that lock in our natural resources. 

Fairness Alberta is raising awareness to generate reforms.

Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada ©Sterling Lanier

The so-called “Just Transition” away from oil and gas is an attack on Canada’s Energy Sector.

This robs Canadians of jobs and revenues, leaves the world dependent on the likes of Russia and Saudi Arabia for their energy, and does not reduce global emissions.

Learn about our campaign to rebrand this misguided plan for what it is: the UNJUST transition

Alberta Transfer meter

Albertans sent $324 billion more to the rest of Canada than was spent in Alberta from 2000-2019 (StatsCan 36-10-0450-01).  Equalization is a significant part of that transfer – roughly $3b per year, or $8.2 million daily.

The federal government is ignoring our Equalization vote.  Since the October 18 referendum a bloated and unfair Equalization has cost us:

Equalization from Albertans since October 18, 2021

Go to the Equalization page to learn why we need Equalization Negotiations Now!

Alberta Transfer meter

Albertans sent $324 billion more to the rest of Canada than was spent in Alberta from 2000-2019 (StatsCan 36-10-0450-01).  Equalization is a significant part of that transfer – roughly $3b per year, or $8.2 million daily.

The federal government is ignoring our Equalization vote.  Since the October 18 referendum a bloated and unfair Equalization has cost us:

Albertans’ Net Contributions
(2000-2019)

Go to the Equalization page to learn why we need Equalization Negotiations Now!

Sign our Petition and Donate to support our campaign – Thank you!

About the ATM

This Alberta Transfer Meter (ATM) shows the large sum billed to Albertans to fund growing Equalization payments to provincial governments in Quebec, Manitoba, and the Maritimes just since our October 18 referendum which should trigger negotiations.

This $3 billion paid annually by Albertan taxpayers is only a piece of the staggering total of transfers that have gone from Albertans’ to other provinces via Ottawa.  This overall transfer was $324 billion from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2019.

In other words, over 20 years Albertans sent a net $79,870 per person to Ottawa that was spent in other provinces, or $319,480 per family of four.

In 2018 alone, during the midst of an economic downturn made much worse by policies, signals, and other decisions made by the Federal and other provincial governments, a remarkable $16,917 per family went to Ottawa that did not come back to Alberta.

In recent decades Albertans made a disproportionate contribution to the federal government’s spending – but taxpayers in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia pay a tab as well.  In those provinces, Equalization funding takes up most of their net contribution – roughly $2400 per family of four to pay for services in other provinces.

Albertans voted with a clear majority on October 18 to challenge Equalization and compel negotiations.  We should have many allies west of the Ottawa river given how the flaws in Equalization mean so many dollars are being unfairly handed to the eastern side of the country, particularly to Quebec.

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A Strong Alberta = A Strong Canada

As someone who grew up and was educated in Ottawa and then came to Alberta for a successful career, I believe I owe it to this province to support Fairness Alberta.

Peter D. Sametz
P.Eng., ICD.D
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Our kids are counting on us

Myself, and the people I've brought into the organization, are individuals from every political ideology. Regardless of right or left wing leanings, each one of us is interested in the economic well-being of future generations of Albertans.

Michael Jorgensen
Emmy® Award Winning Filmmaker