These are the happiest cities in Canada, according to a new survey
The 2025 Happy Cities report also rated overall happiness levels among Canadians.
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Canada flag A municipality in the Greater Toronto Area is the “happiest” large city in Canada, while Quebec is ranks as the happiest province, according to a new survey.
2025 Happy Cities report Prepared by Leger, the 2025 Happy Cities report aims to provide a “snapshot of happiness as perceived by Canadian citizens,” highlighting the regional, generational, and social dynamics shaping well-being in 2025.
Leger Happiness Index Just under 40,000 Canadians aged 18 and over who could speak English or French were surveyed online by LEO, Leger's proprietary panel, between March 31 to April 13, 2025. The respondents were asked to rank their happiness on a scale of one to 10 as well as state whether their happiness has improved over the last year, deteriorated, or stayed about the same.
People walking dogs in Vancouver, B.C. Although it's not possible to calculate a margin of error for a non-probability web sample, by way of comparison, Leger noted that the probability sample of 39,841 respondents would have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 0.33 per centage points, 19 times out of 20. The company added that the results were weighted by gender, age province to ensure a representative sample of the population.
(David Hanson/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)
Mississauga city hall Mississauga was found to Canada’s happiest large city with a score of 70.3 out of 100 on Leger’s “happiness index.” Along with Montreal, it surpassed national average happiness index of 68.7.
La Grande roue de Montréal Ferris Wheel Here is a look at the rest of the top 10:
Montreal ranked second with a happiness index of 69.4 per cent, according to Leger. (Rebecca Harding/Getty Images)
Hamilton The survey found that Hamiton is Canada’s third happiest city at 67.5 out of 100.
Scotiabank Saddledome de Calgary Calgary, Alta. came in fourth place at 67.4 per cent.
Brampton City Hall Brampton ranked fifth with 66.7.
Parliament Hill Ottawa While Ottawa came in sixth place with 66.4.
Edmonton Rogers Place downtown skyline June 17, 2025 Edmonton, Alta. took the seventh spot with 66.3.
(Cam Wiebe / CTV News Edmonton)
Cargo Ships At The Port Of Vancouver Vancouver, B.C is City Number 8 at 66.3/100.
(James MacDonald/Bloomberg) (James MacDonald/Bloomberg)
Winnipeg skyline Feb. 1, 2023 Winnipeg, Man. came in ninth place at 65.9 per cent.
(Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)
Toronto Nathan Phillips Square/City Hall Sept. 30, 2021 Canada’s least happy large city is Toronto, which came in tenth place and scored at 65.8 percent.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press)
Quebec Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Quebec is the happiest province in the country with an average of 72.4 per cent, which is well above the national average happiness index of 68.7 per cent.
(Jeff Frenette Photography)
News Brunswick, Fundy National Park New Brunswick came in second at 70.2.
(MyNews/Bonnielee Armstrong)
Town of Bauline, Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador round out the Top 3 at 69.5 per cent.
(Andrew Vaughan/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Prince Edward Island coastline Prince Edward Island, however, is the least happy province at 66.5 per cent, according to the survey.
(Source: Government of Prince Edward Island)
Manitoba Legislature, Winnipeg, Nov. 6, 2024 It surpassed Manitoba, which received a rating of 66.7.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Canada Flag Ontario also came in the bottom 3, in eighth place, with an average happiness index of 67.2 out of 100.
(X/@fordnation).
Canada Day Ottawa July 1, 2025 The Leger survey also found that Canadians, in general, rate their happiness at an average of 68.7 out of 100, which is consistent with Statistics Canada (2021-2023) Canadian happiness rating of approximately 70 per cent as well as the 2025 World Happiness report, in which Canada received a score of 6.9 out of 10, ranking the country 18th in the world. These findings confirm that Canada has a level of happiness that is relatively high, but stagnant or even slightly down compared to the pre-pandemic period, Leger said.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby)
Canada Day Toronto, Jays Game, July 1, 2025 Of those surveyed, 28 per cent of overall respondent reported a deterioration in their happiness in the past year, while 23 per cent said they experienced an improvement in the past year.
“These results reveal a population that is both resilient and tested, affected by everyday uncertainty and challenges. Happiness, while holding its ground overall, shows signs of fragility,” said Leger.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
Older Adults Residents age 55 and older were found to be the happiest in the country at 72.5 per cent among those surveyed, while those 24 to 34 were the least happy at 66.3 per cent.
(FG Trade/E+/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource)
Humber College, Toronto, Oct. 16, 2017 Canada’s young people, however, showed an increase in positivity levels over the past year, with 39 per cent of 18-to-24-year-olds reporting that their level or state of happiness has improved. Sixty two per cent of those 55+ said it remained the same, while 31 per cent of those in the age 18 to 24 and 35 to 44 brackets said it deteriorated.
“There is a sense of well-being emerging among younger age groups. However, this also highlights the importance of supporting adults in mid-life, who are more vulnerable to the pressures of working life,” Leger said.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston)
Canada Day , Etobicoke, July 1, 2018 Women were found to be slightly happier than men overall at 69.4 per cent compared to 68.0 per cent of those surveyed. They’re also more likely to report an improvement in the past year.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
