2026 Equalization Payments Reach Record $27 Billion

The Confederation Building is seen behind people taking in the view from a lookout on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 12, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa will give out a record high in equalization payments to the provinces next year totalling more than $27 billion, an increase of roughly $1 billion from this year.

The federal equalization program involves the transfer of tax dollars collected by Ottawa from across the country to provinces with lesser abilities to raise revenues at given tax rates.