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Newfoundland and Labrador could be the big winner if the federal government tweaks the formula for its equalization program that doles out cash to needy provinces.

The program is up for renewal next year and the Parliamentary Budget Office ran the numbers for four different potential changes to the formula. In two of those four scenarios, Newfoundland benefits.

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The four scenarios considered by the PBO centre on controversial aspects of the program that have drawn complaints from economists, academics and, especially, politicians in provinces that aren’t content with their share.

Alberta, where most of the agitation for change originates, won’t stand to make a penny in any of the hypothetical outcomes, even with projections reaching more than 70 years into the future.

The former Wildrose Party in Alberta had long advocated for changes to the equalization program and the newly-formed United Conservative Party has now taken up the cause, calling for a referendum on the issue. However, UCP leader Jason Kenney’s suggestion, which is to remove resource revenue from the equalization formula, would massively increase Newfoundland’s share of the funds.