These phenomena could well cause Canada to face serious labour market challenges in about 10 years, which, if not offset through increased labour productivity, could lead to a decline in the rate of growth of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP),1 a lower standard of living, and an insufficient tax base needed to sustain social programs such as universal health care.2 In the article on page 11, Clarence Lochhead documents one of the key population level impacts of delayed reproduction, namely, the increasing disparities in the educational and economic circumstances of "younger" and "older" first-time parents.
Ces écarts économiques pourraient donner lieu à une plus grande stratification de la société canadienne, une situation susceptible d’altérer le gradient de santé décrit par Phyllis Colvin (voir l’entrevue en page 3).