Federal transfers to provinces and territories
Major Federal Transfers
The Government of Canada provides significant financial support to provincial and territorial governments on an ongoing basis to assist them in the provision of programs and services. There are four main transfer programs: the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer, Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing.
Federal Transfers to Provinces and Territories – 2017-18 to 2026-27
(Updated December 2025)
The Canada Health Transfer and the Canada Social Transfer
Federal transfers to provinces and territories which support specific policy areas such as health care, post-secondary education, social assistance and social services, early childhood development, and child care.
Canada Health Transfer
Major federal transfers to provincial and territorial governments to support health care.
Canada Social Transfer
Federal transfers provided to provinces and territories to support social programs.
History of the Health and Social Transfers
Overview of how federal health and social transfers have evolved over time to support provinces and territories.
Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing
The Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing programs provide unconditional transfers to the provinces and territories. Equalization enables less prosperous provincial governments to provide their residents with public services that are reasonably comparable to those in other provinces, at reasonably comparable levels of taxation. Territorial Formula Financing provides territorial governments with funding to support public services, in recognition of the higher cost of providing programs and services in the north.
Equalization Program
How the Equalization program works, who receives payments, and how amounts are calculated.
Territorial Formula Financing
Details on how funding is provided to territorial governments, including eligibility, formulas, and payment amounts.
Territorial Borrowing Limits
How borrowing limits are set for territories and where to find current approved limits.
Other Transfers
Federal transfer programs and fiscal arrangements that address specific regional, fiscal, or policy circumstances.
Nova Scotia Offshore Arrangements
Information on federal payments related to offshore resource revenues and how the arrangements are applied to Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Arrangements
Details on federal offshore arrangements, including payment calculations and impacts on Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quebec Abatement
Information on the federal tax abatement provided to Quebec and how it affects federal transfers.
Fiscal Stabilization Program
Details on financial assistance available to provinces experiencing significant and unexpected revenue declines.
Payments
Information on federal transfer payments made to provinces and territories, including amounts, timing, and program type.
Major Federal Transfers – Monthly payments made to provinces and territories
Monthly payment information for major federal transfers made to provinces and territories.
Fiscal Stabilization – Payments made to provinces
Information on fiscal stabilization payments made to provinces, including amounts and years paid.
Other transfers – Payments made to provinces and territories
Details on payments made to provinces and territories under other federal transfer programs.
Related Links
- Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing
- Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act