Canada often ranks among the top countries in the world for quality of life, and here are the reasons that make this country so wonderful to live in.
Economic stability
When we surveyed Canadians on what they feel contributes most to their quality of life, many talked about Canada’s economic stability.
Although some may struggle with housing prices and affordability, they felt that Canada has good job opportunities, reliable banks, and enough economic stability to allow its citizens to feel comfortable about their future.
Some observed how Canada’s economy is diversified among many sectors like natural resources, manufacturing, technology, and financial services.
Reliable public institutions
Many respondents talked about their trust in public institutions. Elections are mostly peaceful, schools operate consistently, and public services usually work as expected.
Courts, banks, and government agencies are far from flawless, but most people trust them. This consistent nature allows them to feel secure and know what to expect, so they can go about building their lives instead of worrying about instability.
Manageable commutes
Many said that one of the greatest quality of life benefits is having time. Although traffic can be frustrating at times (especially in bigger cities), commuters said their travel times pale in comparison to those in many major cities around the world.
A handful of Canadians said that by spending less time in traffic, they have more time to spend with family and friends and engage in hobbies.
Everyday trust
Many Canadians talked about the amount of trust they experience in their day-to-day lives. Many find that their neighbors look out for each other, strangers are willing to lend a helping hand, and they can count on honesty in daily interactions.
Parents trust their children to roam the neighborhood at a young age. Of course, there are communities with lower levels of trust, but many believe that trust makes life that much safer.
Active living
Access to physical activities was frequently mentioned by Canadians as a key advantage of living in Canada. They listed community recreation leagues, biking trails, hiking trails, skating rinks, ski hills and recreation centers. Those with children mentioned how thankful they are that children can be involved in so many sports and activities year-round.
Public libraries
In addition to lending books, libraries offer free access to the internet, language classes, career development workshops and provide space to study. They also host free events, concerts, movie nights and educational activities for people of all ages.
Newcomers go to libraries to improve their language skills and learn about life here. Libraries connect communities and make knowledge, resources and opportunities available to everyone regardless of income.
Freshwater access
Canada has about 20% of the world’s surface freshwater reserves. Many Canadians feel lucky that they experience this abundance every day.
Lakes and rivers are accessible to many, even those who live in cities. People of all ages take weekend trips to go swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or relaxing at parks along the water.
There are even towns across the country built around lakes and rivers, which allow people to engage with waterways year-round.
Less status pressure
Most said they experience less pressure than those in some other countries to continuously demonstrate their achievements. Some said that Canadians are generally less likely to judge others based on income, job title or material possessions and more likely to judge them on their character.
A number of respondents felt that Canadian culture is relatively humble and that they enjoy not having to one-up everyone socially.
Consumer confidence
Most people we talked to said they worry about the safety of their food or if products meet basic consumer standards. Many noted that while they don’t often think about provincial or federal regulation, they feel grateful for the general feeling of security that comes from living in a country with strong consumer rights.
Some were of the view that this as one of those privileges you don’t realize you have until you travel or live abroad.
Life beyond work
When talking about quality of life, many mentioned hobbies or interests outside of work. They mentioned family time, outdoor activities, volunteering, travelling, and hobbies.
Some noted that they like living in a culture where people usually respect personal time and do not measure someone’s entire life by their career success.