Provincial differences over equalization payments permeated through the united front presented by Canada’s premiers during their annual meeting on Wednesday.

Following a two-day meeting in Halifax, N.S., provincial leaders politely presented two contrasting perspectives on the federal government’s long-held policy of redistributing funds throughout the federation to help provinces with less fiscal capacity.

Depending on who you asked, the redistribution formula is either grossly unfair or a necessary policy to ensure critical services are provided equally in all corners of the country.