Skip to content

I was brought up in southwestern Ontario where we were…

“I was brought up in southwestern Ontario where we were taught that Canadian patriotism should not withstand anything more than a five-dollar-a-month wage differential. Anything more than that and you went to Detroit.” quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
Download Open image
“I was brought up in southwestern Ontario where we were taught that Canadian patriotism should not withstand anything more than a five-dollar-a-month wage differential. Anything more than that and you went to Detroit.”

John Kenneth Galbraith

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Critique of regional wage disparities and labor migration; warns against low wages prompting workers to leave their communities

In simple terms: Low wages push workers to relocate for better pay

Key Takeaway

Address wage fairness to retain local labor

Themes

economics labor migration

Mood

analytical concerned

Type

economic social

When to use this quote

  • small towns
  • industrial regions
  • policy debates

Key Concepts

regional inequality labor markets

Questions to Reflect On

  • What policies could reduce wage‑driven migration?
  • How does regional identity affect labor choices?
A Different Perspective

Higher wages may not solve deeper systemic issues

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by John Kenneth Galbraith

Explore all 434 John Kenneth Galbraith quotes

More Detroit quotes

Browse all 488 Detroit quotes