Joshua Bujold, a cheerful psychology student embarking on his first semester at Dawson College in Montreal, was surprised to learn about the recent decline in happiness among young Canadians. However, this trend seemed to be an outlier in Quebec, his home province.
Contrary to the national data showing a significant decrease in happiness among Canadians under 30, Quebec appeared to present a different picture. According to the 2024 World Happiness Report published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the youth in Quebec seemed to be more content compared to their counterparts elsewhere in Canada.
Joshua, a 17-year-old, expressed, “In Quebec itself, I see a lot of happy people, especially among the youth.” The subsequent 2024 Canadian Happiness Report by researchers at the University of Toronto highlighted that life evaluations among young Quebecers had seen slight improvements, and declines in mental health were not as pronounced as in other parts of the country.
The reports suggested that cultural and linguistic factors might play a role in the perceived happiness levels in Quebec. Anthony McCanny, the lead author of the Canadian Happiness Report, hinted at the possibility of different social media exposure and living conditions impacting the well-being of young Canadians.
Experts like John Helliwell and Jacques Forest pointed out that Quebec’s social safety nets, affordable daycare, and supportive government policies could contribute to the province’s higher happiness rankings. Forest even suggested that adopting certain aspects of Quebec’s culture could potentially increase happiness levels across Canada.
Despite these positive findings, surveys indicated that young people in Quebec still faced challenges, with a significant percentage reporting symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Julie Lane and other researchers emphasized the importance of mental health support for students, especially those facing financial pressures and academic expectations.
Amidst these concerns, individuals like Jessica Proulx, a university student aiming to become a teacher, shared their experiences of managing anxiety and stress while striving for happiness. Despite the hurdles, many young Quebecers like Jessica find ways to navigate the pressures and maintain a positive outlook on life.
