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Equalization, Efficiency and Migration: Watson Revisited

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  • L. S. Wilson

Abstract

Since the publication of Watson (1986) it has been accepted that the efficiency gains from the Canadian equalization system are small compared to the costs. In this paper, we reassess this result, making the point that gains from the reallocation of labour arise from the total migration of workers, not just from a one-year flow of migrants as used in the earlier calculations. This revision makes a large difference. The benefit-cost ratio of the equalization changes assessed (those between 1971 and 1976) rises from less than 0.02 in the Watson analysis, to 1.61, suggesting that equalization might improve efficiency after all.

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  • L. S. Wilson, 2003. "Equalization, Efficiency and Migration: Watson Revisited," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 29(4), pages 385-395, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:29:y:2003:i:4:p:385-395
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William G. Watson, 1986. "An Estimate of the Welfare Gain from Fiscal Equalization," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 19(2), pages 298-308, May.
    2. Robin W. Boadway & Frank R. Flatters, 1982. "Efficiency and Equalization Payments in a Federal System of Government: A Synthesis and Extension of Recent Results," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 15(4), pages 613-633, November.
    3. B. Dahlby & L. S. Wilson, 1994. "Fiscal Capacity, Tax Effort, and Optimal Equalization Grants," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 27(3), pages 657-672, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chris Murphy, 2018. "Optimal fiscal equalisation and its application to Australia: updated," Departmental Working Papers 2018-13, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    2. Richard Bird & François Vaillancourt, 2007. "Expenditure-Based Equalization Transfers," Springer Books, in: Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Bob Searle (ed.), Fiscal Equalization, chapter 0, pages 259-289, Springer.
    3. Jean-Denis Garon & Charles Séguin, 2021. "Environmental Tax Reform in a Federation with Rent-Induced Migration," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 78(3), pages 487-519, March.
    4. Robin Boadway & Katherine Cuff, 2017. "The impressive contribution of Canadian economists to fiscal federalism theory and policy," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 50(5), pages 1348-1380, December.
    5. Jason Delaney, 2019. "Comparing Apples to Apples: Estimating Fiscal Need in the United States with a Regression-Based Representative Expenditure Approach," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 47(3), pages 311-322, September.
    6. Chris Murphy, 2017. "Optimal fiscal equalisation and its application to Australia," Departmental Working Papers 2017-12, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    7. Albouy, David, 2012. "Evaluating the efficiency and equity of federal fiscal equalization," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(9-10), pages 824-839.
    8. Trevor Tombe, "undated". "Final, Unalterable (and Up for Negotiation): Federal-Provincial Transfers in Canada," Working Papers 2018-13, Department of Economics, University of Calgary, revised 22 Oct 2018.
    9. Trevor Tombe & Jennifer Winter, 2021. "Fiscal integration with internal trade: Quantifying the effects of federal transfers in Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(2), pages 522-556, May.
    10. M. Rose Olfert, 2016. "Regional Inequality and Decentralized Governance: Canada's Provinces," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 46(3), pages 201-222, Winter.
    11. Samira Bakhshi & Mohammad Shakeri & M. Rose Olfert & Mark D. Partridge & Simon Weseen, 2009. "Do Local Residents Value Federal Transfers?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 37(3), pages 235-268, May.

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