Beginning of Essay
For decades prior to the 1981-82 recession, the national unemployment rates of Canada and the United States had been nearly identical. Since then, a persistent "unemployment rate gap" has emerged. Throughout most of the 1980s, Canada's unemployment rate has consis ....

Middle of Essay
.... and the under performing Canadian economy. There is no single reason for the persistent gap in the unemployment rates of Canada and the U.S., but rather a combination of the above factors. "No society can be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable." (Adam Smith) This is the theory behind the creation of social services such as unemployment insurance and welfare payments in many countries. The Canadian government provides a substantial "social safety net" for its population. At first, this seems like a fair and proper thing to do, as it is in the best interests of society as a whole. However, ....