The Canadian syndrome of regional polarities: an obituary

Abstract

Les études dans lesquelles il est question des différences entre les régions du Canada mentionnent souvent un phénomène appelé le «syndrome des polarités»; il s'agit de la tendance à l'augmentation, d'est en ouest, des taux de plusieurs indicateurs sociaux, dont le divorce, le suicide et la criminalité. L'auteur de cette communication, estimant que ce syndrome appartient plutǒt à l'histoire, démontre que les taux de suicide et de divorce convergent dans toutes les régions canadiennes depuis 1921 et met cette tendance en relation avec les résultats d'une analyse récente des taux de criminalité régionaux. The ‘syndrome of polarities’ whereby rates for social indicators such as divorce, suicide, and crime rise from east to west is often noted in studies of Canadian regional differences. There are, however, reasons to view this polarity as an historical remnant, and the paper shows a convergence in regional suicide and divorce rates since 1921. The trend is tied in with a recent analysis of regional crime rates.

Trends, patterns, and differentials in Canadian mortality over nearly a century, 1921-2011

“…Previous studies have shown that these mortality improvements tended to reduce any disparities that prevailed among them (Field 1980;Wilkins 1980;Adams 1990;Nault 1997). Such a finding is in line with the proposal that Canadian regions are becoming increasingly homogeneous in terms of their economic and socio-demographic characteristics over time (Matthews and Davis 1986;Goyder 1993). In spite of that, regional mortality differentials persist in Canada.…”

Narrowing sex differences in life expectancy: regional variations, 1971-1991

“…Notwithstanding the existence of some regional differences in the magnitude of sex gaps in life expectancy, the evidence in this analysis is not inconsistent with the proposition that, as noted by Goyder (1993), social demographic regimes of Canadian regions are following a long-term homogenizing trend. Life expectancy variability across provinces has been diminishing since the 1950s; and the sex gap in life expectancy across region has also been constricting, as indicated by the decomposition analysis and the coefficient of variation in Table 1 for the sex difference over time.…”

“…Historically, Canada's regions have shared significant differences along social, economic, sociopolitical and demographic dimensions (Innis, 1930;Goyder, 1993;Hiller, 1986). Quebec and Ontario are the two most populous areas of the nation.…”

The Canadian case: Cornucopia of neglected research opportunities

“…Various policy measures may or may not have been helpful or harmful (Wien 1999). Some reductions in regional disparities in terms of indicators like suicide and divorce have led at least one sociologist to proclaim an "obituary" on the issue (Goyder 1993). The whole matter might well benefit from some outside analysis.…”