Identifying the issues

Improve transparency, awareness, and understanding of Equalization

“While most observers, myself included, consider this program an important part of the glue that binds Canadians to one another, there are dangers in having the negotiations that surround the program turn into a bargaining bazaar that is too remote from its original public purpose and the related constitutional provisions that help to give the program its legitimacy.” - Harvey Lazar15

As noted earlier in this report, few Canadians and only a smattering of finance officials and academics understand the inner workings of the Equalization program. Furthermore, there is very little public education or focus on Equalization at either the federal or provincial levels—until and unless there are problems. This raises concerns that what gets ignored can diminish in value and importance to Canadians, particularly if federal-provincial negotiations take place exclusively behind closed doors and all they hear are problems with the program or squabbles between governments.

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