AlbertaPer capita income in Alberta, despite the low oil prices, is still relatively strong compared to the rest of Canada. That is why Alberta and 3 other provinces are contributors, from FEDERAL general revenues, not directly, while the six other provinces are receivers of transfers. Fiscal policy takes 3 forms: tax, spend, transfer. We are a civilized beautiful country because we look after the old, the weak, the sick and the very poor. There are all kinds of tranfers to achieve this, ie OAS, EI, etc.