Personally I have never agreed with the transfers from the so called rich provinces to the poor ones because.

1./ It keeps people locked in place in poverty instead of moving to a more prosperous location where they can work and provide for themselves. As you say the Albert Oil sands are a boon to the Newfoundlanders.

2./ It creates hard feeling's and envy between the have and have not provinces.

3./ It allows the have not provinces to rely on the have provinces to develop their resources instead of doing more for themselves. All provinces in Canada are blessed with an abundance. Quebec for instance has a huge hydro electric resource.

4./ In short it allows the have not provinces to be lazy and live beyond their means.

That being said it is in the constitution so it is here to stay.