The geography of economic mobility in 19th‐century Canada

Abstract

This paper uses linked Census records from 1871 to 1901 to compute intergenerational mobility for Canadian regions and census divisions. The results reveal sharp differences in mobility over space: Ontario featured high relative and absolute mobility, Quebec low relative and absolute mobility and the Maritimes low absolute mobility. Local differences in human capital endowments and labour market inequality are correlated with division mobility patterns but do not account for regional differences, where migration and structural change toward industry and services appear important. Comparing spatial patterns of Canadian mobility in the 19th century to today shows substantial changes for Quebec districts.