Canada has slipped to 18th place in the global World Happiness Report, down three spots from last year, placing it among the “largest losers” in happiness rankings over the last two decades. INNOVATIVE’s new poll presents a sobering reflection on the general and economic sentiment across Canada.
With 41% of respondents reporting they are worse off than in 2015, concerns about the economy, cost of living, and affordability loom large. Despite pockets of satisfaction— particularly in Alberta—overall sentiment suggests a significant portion of the population feels left behind.
Younger Canadians report the sharpest declines in life satisfaction, with housing costs and stagnant wages frequently cited as pain points. “What we’re seeing is a generational divide in optimism,” says Dr. Lara Aknin, a psychology professor at Simon Fraser University and editor of the World Happiness Report. “For millennials and Gen Z, the social contract—work hard, get ahead—feels broken.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the personalities and hype of an election, but the real questions we should be asking are: How is Canada doing? How are Canadians doing? And which party has the policies to address the challenges people face in this federal election?
The truth is, we can do very little as a country to impact what other nations choose to do. Creating conflicts— like the U.S.–China tariff fight—is time consuming and counterproductive. Trade deals take years to negotiate and implement. The tariff debate will likely continue for years.
“The real test,” says INNOVATIVE’s chief pollster Greg Lyle, “is which party platform addresses both the economic and emotional drivers of unhappiness— like housing security and community trust.”
Over the weekend, a group called The Friends of Free Enterprise in Canada wrote that our country stands at a crossroads— and the decisions we make now will shape Canada’s future for generations.
They recommended we:
- Support free enterprise— encourage entrepreneurship and innovation
- Eliminate barriers, red tape, and excessive regulations; streamline permitting
- Restore fiscal discipline in government to make Canada more competitive
- Reform the tax system— lower taxes
- Develop our natural resources
These are all strong recommendations. Now, we must think carefully about which party will actually deliver on ideas like these—and not just make empty election promises.
