Equalization Formula and Payment Program

provinces: Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has expressed frustration with the formula, saying it doesn't easily take into account the changes in resource prices, such as oil and hydro, making it years behind the times, according to Hamilton Spectator. The payment program sees more than $17 billion given annually to poorer provinces. The Conservative leader brushed aside a question about the equalization formula that Ottawa uses to help have-not provinces pay for services that wealthier provinces can more easily cover. The province that collects the most is P.E.I., at about $1,980 per person. The constitutionally guaranteed program helps poorer provinces provide government services at tax levels similar to its wealthier neighbours. Wall has even argued that the payments should be halved, with the federal government spending the money instead on things like infrastructure projects across the country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.