---
canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/the-canada-atlantic-canada-manufacturing-productivity-gap-a-detailed-analysis/"
title: "The Canada-Atlantic Canada Manufacturing Productivity Gap: A Detailed Analysis"
author:
  name: "CSLS"
  url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/"
date_published: "2026-07-02T14:07:36+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-07-02T14:07:36+00:00"
post_type: "research"
summary: ""
post_tag:
  - "Atlantic Canada"
  - "industrial structure"
  - "labour productivity"
  - "manufacturing"
  - "New Brunswick"
  - "Newfoundland"
  - "Nova Scotia"
  - "Prince Edward Island"
  - "productivity gap"
  - "regional productivity"
country_focus:
  - "Canada"
province_region:
  - "Atlantic"
research_theme:
  - "Productivity and Economic Measurement"
  - "Regional Economic Development"
  - "Sector/Industry Analysis"
featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp"
status: "publish"
---

# The Canada-Atlantic Canada Manufacturing Productivity Gap: A Detailed Analysis

Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/the-canada-atlantic-canada-manufacturing-productivity-gap-a-detailed-analysis/

# The Canada-Atlantic Canada Manufacturing Productivity Gap: A Detailed Analysis

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2003-08.pdf)

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Cite this report as:

Sharpe, Andrew. 2003. “The Canada-Atlantic Canada Manufacturing Productivity Gap: A Detailed Analysis.” CSLS Research Report 2003-08. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/the-canada-atlantic-canada-manufacturing-productivity-gap-a-detailed-analysis/

## Author:

-
Andrew Sharpe
Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS)

## Report 2003-08

December 2003 127 pages

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## Abstract

## Résumé

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This report provides a detailed analysis of the manufacturing productivity gap between Canada and Atlantic Canada, prepared for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. It examines labour productivity levels and growth rates in manufacturing across Atlantic Canadian provinces relative to the Canadian average, decomposing the gap by industrial structure and within-industry productivity differentials. The report identifies the key drivers behind the persistent productivity gap and discusses policy implications for improving Atlantic Canada’s manufacturing competitiveness.

Ce rapport, préparé pour l’Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique, propose une analyse détaillée de l’écart de productivité manufacturière entre le Canada et le Canada atlantique. Il examine les niveaux et les taux de croissance de la productivité du travail dans le secteur manufacturier des provinces du Canada atlantique par rapport à la moyenne canadienne, en décomposant l’écart selon la structure industrielle et les écarts de productivité intra-industriels. Le rapport cerne les principaux moteurs de cet écart de productivité persistant et examine les répercussions politiques pour améliorer la compétitivité manufacturière du Canada atlantique.

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2003-08.pdf)