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The Costs Of Doing Hard Time: A Penitentiary-Based Regional Price Index For Canada, 1883-1923

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  • Chris Minns
  • Mary MacKinnon

Abstract

We construct consumer price indices for Canada, mainly based on the expenditure records of Canada's federal penitentiaries. Regional price variation was much greater in Canada in the late nineteenth century than in the northern U.S. The new data suggest substantial price decline to 1900. Regional price variation in Canada decreased gradually to 1914, and quickly during the First World War. For 1900-14 and 1922-3, new data are largely consistent with consumer price data compiled by The Labour Gazette. The new data suggest more inflation during the First World War.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Minns & Mary MacKinnon, 2006. "The Costs Of Doing Hard Time: A Penitentiary-Based Regional Price Index For Canada, 1883-1923," Departmental Working Papers 2006-09, McGill University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mcl:mclwop:2006-09
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Unknown, 1967. "Index," 1967 Conference, August 21-30, 1967, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 209796, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. J. C. Herbert Emery & Clint Levitt, 2002. "Cost of living, real wages and real incomes in thirteen Canadian cities, 1900–1950," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(1), pages 115-137, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kris Inwood & Chris Minns & Fraser Summerfield, 2016. "Reverse assimilation? Immigrants in the Canadian labour market during the Great Depression," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 20(3), pages 299-321.
    2. Ross D. Hickey & David S. Jacks, 2011. "Nominal rigidities and retail price dispersion in Canada over the twentieth century," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(3), pages 749-780, August.
    3. repec:ehl:wpaper:30016 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. 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.
    5. repec:ehl:wpaper:57209 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Bogart, Dan, 2010. "A global perspective on railway inefficiency and the rise of state ownership, 1880-1912," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 158-178, April.
    7. Inwood, Kris & MacKinnon, Mary & Minns, Chris, 2010. "Labour market dynamics in Canada, 1891-1911: a first look from new census samples," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 30016, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    8. repec:ehl:wpaper:27863 is not listed on IDEAS

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