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Canadian and US Unemployment Rates: A Comparison Based on Regional Data

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Listed:
  • Manfred Keil
  • Louis Pantuosco

Abstract

This paper sets out to explain the Canadian-US unemployment rate gap that has persisted since 1982. The gap, which appeared in two stages, has lasted through peaks and troughs in economic activity. We use a panel of five Canadian and nine US regions to search for the causes. The 1971 liberalization of the Canadian unemployment insurance system can explain the first occurrence of the gap, which was veiled by preferable raw material price movements during the 1970s. The further widening of the gap in the '90s is the result of the tougher post 1987 Bank of Canada stance in fighting inflation.

Suggested Citation

  • Manfred Keil & Louis Pantuosco, 1998. "Canadian and US Unemployment Rates: A Comparison Based on Regional Data," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 24(s1), pages 38-55, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:24:y:1998:i:s1:p:38-55
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Card & W. Craig Riddell, 1993. "A Comparative Analysis of Unemployment in Canada and the United States," NBER Chapters, in: Small Differences That Matter: Labor Markets and Income Maintenance in Canada and the United States, pages 149-190, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Firouz Fallahi & Gabriel Rodríguez, 2011. "Persistence of Unemployment in the Canadian Provinces," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 34(4), pages 438-458, October.

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