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Socialists, Populists, Resources, and the Divergent Development of Alberta and Saskatchewan

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  • J.C. Herbert Emery
  • Ronald D. Kneebone

Abstract

Canada's federal government established the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1905, making them approximately equal in area, population, and economy. Roughly one hundred years later, Alberta has three times the population of Saskatchewan and a gross domestic product (GDP) that is more than four times grea ter. The creation of the border represents a "natural experiment" that allows us to assess the relative importance of institutions versus geography to explain the divergent development of the twin provinces. While the perception persists that Saskatchewan's political climate hindered that province's development relative to Alberta's, it is Alberta's early lead in manufacturing, and vast mineral endowments, that present a more convincing explanation for the divergence.

Suggested Citation

  • J.C. Herbert Emery & Ronald D. Kneebone, 2008. "Socialists, Populists, Resources, and the Divergent Development of Alberta and Saskatchewan," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 34(4), pages 419-440, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:34:y:2008:i:4:p:419-440
    DOI: 10.3138/cpp.34.4.419
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    Cited by:

    1. Serge Coulombe, 2007. "Globalization and Regional Disparity: A Canadian Case Study," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(1), pages 1-17.
    2. J. C. Herbert Emery & Ana Ferrer & David Green, 2012. "Long-Term Consequences of Natural Resource Booms for Human Capital Accumulation," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 65(3), pages 708-734, July.
    3. Rosés, Joan R. & Minns, Chris, 2018. "Power to the Periphery? The failure of Regional Convergence in Canada, 1890-2006," CEPR Discussion Papers 12803, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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