While Western Canada gets a lot of press for its sense of alienation from the rest of Canada, its residents’ resentment isn’t exceptional, polling data shows.
“Being somewhat resentful of the place of our province in the country is just standard,” said Charles Breton, the executive director of the Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation while presenting survey results at the Western Canada Economic Forum in Winnipeg on Jan. 22.
The resentment index
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The centre calculates a “resentment index” based on opinions around each province’s distinct culture or identity, if residents feel they are treated with adequate respect by other provinces, if they get a fair share of federal spending, have enough influence in decision making, and so forth.
The index goes from negative six (not resentful) to six (very resentful). Canada’s average sentiment hovers around one, or slightly resentful. The most recent survey — published in July — showed resentment dipping slightly.
The 2025 survey spoke to 5,391 people.
Of the western provinces, B.C. is the least resentful. Between 2022 and 2025, sentiment has hovered between one and two with little variation.
Manitoba’s sentiment has fluctuated between about 0.5 and two, Saskatchewan between two and three and Alberta has also ranged between two and three on the index.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the most resentful province overall, with residents expressing feelings of being disrespected, excluded and misunderstood by the other provinces, according to a report from the centre published in July. It ranges between two and three on the resentment index — generally closer to three.
Nova Scotia’s resentment index sat around or above two before sliding to one in 2025. Quebec moves between one and two.
Where are the angriest people?
Ontario is the exception — skating along near zero since 2022.
“You ask them about the place of their province in the country, they don’t even understand the question,” Breton said.
Each person who responds to the survey is also given a score on the same resentment index.
When graphed on a curve, Alberta residents form into two peaks — one grouped toward the highest point on the index, and one grouped toward the lower side.
Breton noted that while Alberta is not the most resentful province overall, it seems to house the most resentful people.
The same pattern shows up in Saskatchewan, though it is less pronounced, the July report said.
The report noted that while political trends in Alberta may suggest growing resentment, tracking the index over time shows that resentment is actually down.
