Prosperity and the New Economy in Canada’s major city regions

Abstract

Canada’s three large city regions—Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver—have been relatively successful in retaining their Manufacturing bases, while at the same time adding substantial numbers of New Economy job opportunities. Deindustrialization appears to have occurred primarily in the Montreal CMA (Census Metropolitan Area) and in some smaller communities where motor vehicle manufacturing was significant. Growth in New Economy jobs has occurred in the larger CMAs; the smaller urban areas have had little success in attracting these jobs. For the most part, these trends appear to be path dependent: prosperous communities with substantial proportions of New Economy jobs are likely to remain prosperous and to attract more such jobs. The lack of significant correlation between Economic Health and the presence of immigrants, same sex couples, performing and visual artists suggests that local economic development strategies based on these factors may have limited success.