Canada’s happiest province revealed in new poll as national happiness rises

Canadians appear to be feeling happier than they were a year ago, with Quebec taking the top spot among the country's happiest provinces, according to a new poll.

Leger's Happiness Index 2026 gave Canada an average score of 70.5 out of 100, up from 68.7 in 2025.

Quebec ranked first with a happiness score of 74.5, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador at 71.0 and New Brunswick at 70.3.

Ontario recorded 69.3, while Prince Edward Island ranked last at 67.7, although its score improved from 66.5 last year.

Among Canada's largest cities, Montreal topped the ranking with 72.7. Brampton came second at 71.7, jumping five points from 2025, while Toronto placed third with 69.4.

Quebec also recorded higher levels of optimism, scoring 72.2 compared with 66.6 across the rest of Canada.

Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president for central Canada, told CTV News the timing of the surveys could partly explain this year's increase.

“June is definitely a better time, that’s what makes us happy,” he said, noting the 2025 survey was conducted in March and April.

The poll also found Canadians and Americans recorded exactly the same overall happiness score of 70.5.