---
canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/convergence-across-provincial-economies-in-canada-trends-drivers-and-implications/"
title: "Convergence across Provincial Economies in Canada: Trends, Drivers, and Implications"
author:
  name: "CSLS"
  url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/"
date_published: "2026-07-02T12:55:18+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-07-02T12:55:18+00:00"
post_type: "research"
summary: ""
post_tag:
  - "Canada"
  - "fiscal capacity"
  - "income"
  - "labour market"
  - "oil boom"
  - "productivity"
  - "provincial convergence"
  - "regional disparities"
  - "well-being"
country_focus:
  - "Canada"
province_region:
  - "Multi-province"
research_theme:
  - "Productivity and Economic Measurement"
  - "Regional Economic Development"
featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp"
status: "publish"
---

# Convergence across Provincial Economies in Canada: Trends, Drivers, and Implications

Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/convergence-across-provincial-economies-in-canada-trends-drivers-and-implications/

# Convergence across Provincial Economies in Canada: Trends, Drivers, and Implications

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2014-03-1.pdf)

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Cite this report as:

Capeluck, Evan. 2014. “Convergence across Provincial Economies in Canada: Trends, Drivers, and Implications.” CSLS Research Report 2014-03. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/convergence-across-provincial-economies-in-canada-trends-drivers-and-implications/

## Author:

-
Evan Capeluck
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University

## Report 2014-03

May 2014 101 pages

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## Abstract

## Résumé

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Canada has long been characterized by significant regional disparities. Such inequalities can create and exacerbate regional tensions and lead to demands for further redistribution of wealth. The objective of this study is to report on the current state of provincial differences in twenty-five economic variables related to income, productivity, the labour market, well-being and fiscal capacity, and to analyze trends toward or away from convergence for these economic variables. This report also examines the factors influencing these trends and discusses the implications for the federation.

Le Canada se caractérise depuis longtemps par d’importantes disparités régionales. De telles inégalités peuvent créer et exacerber les tensions régionales et susciter des demandes de redistribution accrue de la richesse. L’objectif de cette étude est de dresser un portrait de l’état actuel des écarts provinciaux pour vingt-cinq variables économiques liées au revenu, à la productivité, au marché du travail, au bien-être et à la capacité budgétaire, et d’analyser les tendances vers ou en s’éloignant de la convergence pour ces variables économiques. Ce rapport examine également les facteurs qui influencent ces tendances et en discute les répercussions pour la fédération.

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2014-03-1.pdf)
