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The Liberals, under Jean Chretien and Paul Martin, did not set out to produce this result. They simply pushed ahead with an agenda that favoured economic growth, which was helped along by a dramatic economic recovery in the United States, Canada’s largest trading partner. The rise in corporate profits triggered a wave of executive bonuses and increases in stock-based compensation, especially during the 1990s tech boom. All groups enjoyed gains in real income, but the top earners gained the most.



Achieving a fair division of economic spoils is one of the most difficult things for a country to get right.

When there’s too much equality — if, for example, governments tax top earners too much — entrepreneurs don’t see enough incentive. When there’s too little equality — if the top earnersvastly outstrip everyone else — resentment builds among middle- and lower-income citizens.

It’s a political vein being tapped to great effect south of the border by Democratic Party presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders. The Vermont Senator’s popularity has been climbing sharply along with his attacks on America’s One Percenters.

While top earners in the U.S. take home nearly double what their counterparts in Canada do, it’s no accident the leaders of Canada’s main opposition parties are pushing a similar agenda of income fairness during this election campaign.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair are promising more middle-class jobs by investing in urban infrastructure and clean technologies. Each has also announced measures to help families with childcare expenses – the Liberals through a tax benefit, the NDP with a national childcare program offering spaces at less than $15 per day.