Alberta's Royalty Rates: A Tool for Redistribution

Albertans are expected to pay more in personal income taxes than they receive in oil and gas royalties, according to the Government of Alberta. In fact, this year, Albertans will pay $2.7 billion more in personal income taxes than the province will receive in royalties from the oil and gas industry.

Last year, the discrepancy was even higher at $2 billion. This means that ordinary working Albertans are contributing more to the provincial budget than any other revenue stream.

The oil and gas companies, including CNRL, Suncor, Cenovus, and Imperial Oil, collectively made over $20 billion in profits in 2025 alone. These profits flow to their majority American shareholders.

Phillip Meintzer, co-founder of the Coalition for Responsible Energy, argues that Albertans should demand more from their public resources. He believes that royalty rates are a tool that can be used to redistribute wealth and fund struggling public education and healthcare systems.