Alberta writes equalization cheques to other provinces like Quebec.
Claimed by: Common framing in equalization debates
False: False as written according to the settled evidence. How we rate.
Summary
It is true that Albertans contribute a large share of federal revenue, because they have high incomes and the same federal tax rates apply everywhere. But equalization is a federal program, not a transfer between provinces. It is financed entirely from the federal government's general revenues, which come from federal taxes paid by all Canadians, and no provincial government pays into it, so that money goes to Ottawa rather than directly to Quebec or any other province. Saying Alberta sends cheques to other provinces misdescribes how the program works, even though Albertans do contribute more federal tax per person than residents of most provinces.
Evidence
Equalization is financed by the Government of Canada from general revenues raised through federal taxes; provincial governments make no contributions to the program.
The Library of Parliament states the program is fully funded from federal general revenues and that the provinces do not contribute financially to it.
As economist Trevor Tombe puts it, the federal government tops up lower-capacity provinces out of its own general revenue and there are no transfers of funds between provinces.