Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu ranks under the provincial average as to the Light Happiness Index (IBL). It occupies the 40th rank of the first 50 Quebec cities of the charts. The city could do better, believe residents who expressed their complaints by responding to our survey.
This IBL web survey, published during the month of July, was carried out with 39,841 Canadians, including 19,895 respondents in Quebec, aged 18 and over, being able to express themselves in French or English, from March 31 to April 13, 2025.
The index of happiness aims to “qualitatively and quantitatively assess the general state of mind of the populations and to compare them with each other”, details light on its site. However, the organization stresses that this index “has neither the pretension to define happiness and even less that of providing recipes to facilitate their involvement”. The evaluation is based on 25 criteria, including health, labor, money, safety and environmental sensitivity.
Modest performance
Different listings relating to happiness have been revealed by Léger, including that of the first 50 Quebec cities. With an index of 71.5 in 100, in 40e Position, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is below the Quebec average of 72.4. However, it is ahead of cities like Laval, with 70.2, and Montreal, which closes the marching of the charts with a score of 69.5. By way of comparison, the meadow, our Montérégienne neighbor, illustrated at 8e Row with 72.2.
In the category of major cities in Quebec, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu positions itself 9e out of 11 with 71.5 out of 100, below the average index in Quebec, at 72.4. Again, Montreal is in last position, with 69.4.
What citizens think
Following the publication of the prize listFrench Canada Surveyed citizens on their own perception of happiness in their city.
Among the complaints, the condition of the cycle paths. Several residents deplore their poor interview and their lack of continuity. “We would like suitable cycle paths, well identified, well asphalt, and which meet,” notes a retiree. “Apart from Route 1 to Farnham, there is no other choice,” she continues. The track of the Chambly canal is not immune to criticism: “holes, lack of gravel, neglected interview … We could attract so much more visitors with a minimum of investment”, estimates another citizen.
Others evoke difficult access to housing, especially for low -income households, and also a visible increase in roaming and a deterioration in the feeling of safety. Some people go further, speaking of “dangerous” districts, where the simple idea of going out in the evening or settling on his balcony arouses concern. A mother even confides fear every day for the safety of her teenage daughter.
Through the expressed frustrations, concrete requests are emerging: a department store in hardware store and building materials, a warehouse offering a range of wholesale products at reduced prices, better cycle paths, accessible housing and a reassuring police presence.
Quebec in mind
This light survey also shows that Quebec dominates the list of Canadian provinces. The province is distinguished with an average level of happiness of 72.4 out of 100, above the national average of 68.7.
As for the list of Quebec regions, Montérégie is found at the 12e Place out of 16, with 72.9 out of 100, slightly above the average index in Quebec, at 72.4. Montreal closes walking again with 69.5.