The New(foundland) Math

Right on cue, the Newfoundland separatists are rattling their sabres. The logic goes something like this:

• We don't get enough in federal transfer payments.
• And we aren't going to get enough.
• We don't even know what we mean by "enough".
• But we're not getting enough.
• Therefore, we should separate.

Mkay.

For the past 20 years, Newfoundland and Labrador, by virtue of being part of Canada, has received an average of nearly $1.5-billion — that's with a b — in federal transfers to the provincial government.

That's on top of a similar amount paid out annually in federal transfers to individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

And on top of another $300-million or so in federal government salaries.

That's an average of about $3.3-billion that comes into the province, every year, by virtue of being part of Canada. Add to it transfers to businesses, federal government procurement, and other federal spending in, or in respect of Newfoundland and Labrador, the total has averaged, over the past couple of decades, more than $4.3-billion.

Federal revenues out of Newfoundland and Labrador during the same period? About $1.5-billion annually.

The "balance", pace the Newfoundland Weekly Separatist?

A net benefit to the province of $2.8-billion per year.

So, a question for the separatists: What would Newfoundland and Labrador be entitled to, by way of federal transfers and other spending, as a glorious independent PWG-waving republic?

And what is the difference between that amount, and $2.8-billion?