A newly released interactive map by Statistics Canada (StatCan) has shed light on the happiest places to live across Canada, ranking Collingwood as the city with the highest life-satisfaction rate among census metropolitan areas in Ontario.
The report, which compiles data from multiple waves of the Canadian Social Survey, measures key indicators of happiness, including life satisfaction, sense of belonging, purpose, future outlook, and access to social support.
According to the study, residents of Collingwood, Ontario, reported the highest levels of life satisfaction in the province, with 67.4% of respondents ranking their happiness at the higher end of the scale. Other Ontario cities with relatively high satisfaction rates included Owen Sound, Guelph, and the Greater Sudbury area.
Meanwhile, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador emerged as the happiest provinces in Canada, with residents rating their satisfaction levels at eight or higher on a ten-point scale. In particular, Rouyn-Noranda and Sorel-Tracy in Quebec were among the happiest cities nationwide.
The study also found that Newfoundland and Labrador residents reported the strongest sense of belonging to their local communities, a sentiment shared by those living in Prince Edward Island. In Ontario, the highest sense of community belonging was recorded in Sarnia, Owen Sound, Kawartha Lakes, Brockville, and Cornwall.
While many regions in Ontario ranked between 40% and 60% for high life satisfaction, the areas of Orillia, Midland, and Brantford reported the lowest levels in the province, with only around 39% of residents indicating high life satisfaction.
StatCan clarified that certain regions on the happiness map do not display results due to insufficient sample sizes. Jada Cormier, a spokesperson for Statistics Canada, explained that while larger geographical areas can provide more comprehensive data, additional statistics for smaller communities may be released in the future.
The newly released happiness map provides valuable insights into the well-being of Canadians, offering a unique perspective on regional quality of life and community engagement.
For more details, visit the Statistics Canada website or access the interactive happiness map to explore how your city ranks.