I do recognize and understand the finer points Bill, including the inherent differences between a Province and a nation.  However, they do have this in common:  both own the natural resources within their borders and both have at their disposal income tax and sales tax (VAT).  We are then left with this indisputable reality:

-  Alberta chose no sales tax, a low, flat rate of income tax and whatever royalty regime it imposed on the extraction of its natural resources.  As at Dec-16 it had about $17Billion in its Heritage Fund.

- Norway has a VAT, a comparatively high income tax rate and a state owned oil & gas company.  It has about $1Trillion in its Sovereign Wealth Fund.