After having released for a few years, Léger produced a large investigation to measure the Happiness index of Quebecers. The last champions of this ranking were Sainte-Julie (2014), Varennes (2019) and Shefford (2021). This time, what are the cities of Quebec where people are the happiest? Do not miss the list of 50 cities of happiness on Saturday morning.
Where is happiness where? He is here, in Quebec, according to the latest portrait of Léger’s happiness, which places him in front of all the other Canadian provinces.
Only three provinces exceed the Canadian average (68.7/100): Newfoundland and Labrador (69.5), New Brunswick (70.2) and Quebec (72.4).
“Our stronger social cohesion, our feeling of belonging, our culture and our language, it means that we stand out from the rest of Canada,” explains Caroline Roy, of the light firm, which has measured for an 11e once the happiness index of Quebecers.
Easy happiness?
Photo Ben Pelosse
According to citizens met at the foot of Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebecers do not necessarily have a much higher quality of life that of their Canadian compatriots. It is rather their way of seeing things and their optimism that allow them to access happiness.
“Maybe we have a lighter mind?” We have a better social net, so we are less stressed, ”says Samuel Prévost-Jacques, from Saint-Hyacinthe.
“I think that culturally, we are a bit different, corroborates Christian Larivière, from Saint-Constant. Because of our Latin side, we have easier happiness. ”
From zero to heroes
Photo STEVE FROST
However, underlines Christopher Barrington-Leigh, professor at McGill University, the level of satisfaction of Quebecers with regard to their quality of life was the lowest in the country in 1985, when first data was collected for this purpose by Statistics Canada.
“In the 25 years that followed, the level of satisfaction has continued to rise, until it reaches the Canadian average,” he notes. In recent years, Quebec seems to be the happiest province. ”
Unit and affordability
According to Mr. Barrington-Leigh, the feeling of unity of Quebecers is a factor that contributes to the general mood.
“If we look at the global portrait, the happiest countries are the Nordic countries,” he adds. In a way, Quebec is more similar to Scandinavia than everywhere else in North America because there is also a popular belief that we can solve our problems together. ”
According to the mother Joannie Roy, of Varennes, the affordability and the natural richness of the beautiful province are other factors which mush the degree of satisfaction of Quebecers.
“In financial terms, it’s different from Ontario or Alberta,” she says. It costs more than here. We have a lot of green spaces […] And we have social activities that are free and pleasant. ”
Young people relieved
The latest census of Léger dates back to 2021, in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic. It should therefore not be surprised to note that young Quebecers who saw their school career darkened by the distance school are happier today.
The 18 to 24 years went from 63.1 to 68.7 in Quebec, the strongest increase among all demographic groups. The 25 to 34 year olds also displayed an increase (+1.9).
Postpandemic life seems to have struck the 45 to 54 year olds harder, the only age group having recorded a decline (-0.2) between 2021 and 2025.
With Anouk Lebel
