Regional Income Disparities in Canada

Abstract

<p> An important problem existing in Canada today is that of unequal regional economic development. It is a basic problem of some regions having more and other regions having less. </p> <p> In a country where economic growth is quite often viewed as an accumulation of regional economies, it is important to identify the inequalities that exist between and within these regions. Of the numerous forms of economic disparities, income is generally considered the most prevalent. </p> <p> The majority of research performed on this topic of regional income disparities tends to deal with either regional productivity levels or regional income distribution and redistribution. </p> <p> This study however, is concerned with disposable income levels that exist throughout and within Canada's regions, in an attempt to determine that the quality of life is not equitable across these regional boarders. The main observations of the study were that, definite disparities exist not only between Canada's regions but, within them as well. Also, that metropolitan areas of the country experience a better quality of life, based on calculated welfare statistics, than do non-metropolitan areas. Finally, it was evident that Canada's economic disparities in most recent years have remained relatively constant. </p>