Albertans received more COVID-19 financial support from the federal government than people in any other province — and the provincial government has also left the most federal money unused, according to a new report. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, an independent think-tank, did an analysis of federal and provincial pandemic spending. The report attributes Alberta's high numbers to $1 billion from the federal oil and gas well closure program and substantial uptake of business support programs. Albertans drew the most support per capita for business from the federal government, including through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) ($17.5 billion) and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan forgiveness program ($1.9 billion). "The business support that came from provincial dollars was the biggest in Alberta compared to all the other provinces," Macdonald said.

Source: CBC News August 26, 2021 10:00 UTC