Article

White Paper on Employment and Income

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited March 4, 2015

 The White Paper on Employment and Income of 1945 described the Canadian government's immediate postwar fiscal and economic policies. Presented to Parliament by the Honourable C.D.
Howe, C.D.
The minister of Trade and Commerce speaking at the official opening of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation loading facilities at Picton, Ontario, 1955 (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C-472).

Employment and Income, White Paper on

 The White Paper on Employment and Income of 1945 described the Canadian government's immediate postwar fiscal and economic policies. Presented to Parliament by the Honourable C.D. HOWE, minister of reconstruction, it outlined the government's intention to adopt Keynesian economic policies to maintain a high level of employment and income. The paper suggested deficits would be incurred and national debt increased when unemployment threatened, but would be balanced by surpluses in periods of prosperity. The White Paper led to policy changes and preceded the period of greatest prosperity in Canadian history; as well, it helped set the style of federal-provincial relations for 15 years.