‘It can be quite alienating': Islanders react to happiness poll that ranks P.E.I. last

a day ago

Despite its scenic charm, a new survey ranks P.E.I. lowest in national happiness, leaving many Islanders surprised. CTV's Maria Sarrouh reports.
You wouldn't guess it from the boardwalk chatter in Charlottetown, or the smiles in bloom on a sunny afternoon, but Prince Edward Island has ranked last in a national poll on happiness.
A recent Leger internet survey of nearly 40,000 Canadians asked respondents to rate their happiness on a scale from zero to 100. Islanders reported an average score of 66.5 per cent, the lowest of any province. By comparison, Quebec came out on top at 72.4 per cent. While some Islanders are brushing it off, others say the ranking reflects deeper issues, from cost-of-living struggles to social isolation.
'That's pure lie. We're very happy people,' said Michelle O'Hanley at the Victoria Park boardwalk.
'Quality of life is really good, so that surprises me,' added Jessica O'Hanley.
'Everything kind of slows down here, people enjoy life,' Chris Carsten said while on a stroll with his family.
'You almost never get a traffic jam,' said Tracy Nguyen.
While the province is often seen as postcard perfect, some residents say daily life does come with real pressures.
'It's not a cheap place to live as far as groceries and rent, and income isn't as high as other cities,' said Pius MacPhee.
'Crossing the bridge. And accessibility to metro cities,' added Dhvanit Upadhyay, listing challenges he faces.
Suggestion: Listing the challenges he faces, Dhvanit Upadhyay cited 'crossing the bridge' and 'accessibility to metro cities.'
Statistics Canada data shows that in the first quarter of 2025, 48.5 per cent of Islanders rated their life satisfaction between eight and 10 out of 10 - nearly identical to the national average of 48.6 per cent.
Still, the Leger results have sparked a broader conversation about what well-being looks like in smaller communities.
Michael Arfken, an associate psychology professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, said the results reflect what many are feeling, from limited access to family doctors, to struggles with work and wages. He added that the province's size can be both a blessing and a curse.
'A lot of people that have grown up on this Island feel a sense of connection and a sense of community,' he said. 'On the flip side, if you're new here and don't have those established relationships, it can be quite alienating.'
For some Islanders, gratitude for the simple pleasures goes a long way.
'I woke up this morning, and my feet touched the floor, I knew I was alive. And I was going to make the most of today,' said Kenny Tierney, back on the boardwalk.
On the UPEI campus, a chalk smile drawn on the pavement offered a quiet reminder that joy can still be found all around.

Hashtags

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 2 — Animals

CBC

an hour ago

Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 2 — Animals

Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 2 — Animals 8 hours ago Duration 1:53 Social Sharing There are a lot of reasons why British Columbians have a deep connection with salmon, from their ubiquity across the province to their circular routine of returning home to spawn. But as the director of UBC's Marine Mammal Research Unit, Andrew Trites, admits, there's also a more selfish reason. "Everything comes back to food, doesn't it?" he said, as he broke down the matchup between the chinook salmon and sockeye salmon in the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol. Trites pointed out that the chinook is well known because of its massive size — it's called "king salmon" in the United States — while the sockeye is known for its distinctive red colouring and its dense spawning numbers. But there's the element of taste as well. "Is there anything better than putting on the BBQ with a nice piece of chinook salmon? And … when we think of sockeye salmon, the image that comes to mind is smoked salmon because it's a very firm flesh. And who doesn't love eating smoked salmon?" From 8 animals to 4 Beyond the salmon, when you look at the eight animals still in the running in the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol, a certain theme emerges. "Everything's interconnected," said Trites. "The salmon depend on healthy oceans, healthy rivers, and healthy forest systems. Killer whales and otters, they also depend on healthy salmon … and the bears drag some of the dead carcasses into the woods that fertilize the forest." Interconnected though they may be, we're asking you to vote in four matchups to determine which animals advance to the next round of our friendly competition: Orca vs. sea otter. Steller's jay vs. marmot. Spirit bear vs. grizzly bear. Chinook vs. sockeye salmon. Unlike the first round of the bracket, there are no easy votes at this point. But Trites says that speaks to the powerful connection so many British Columbians have with wildlife — and the reason they're such potent symbols. "All these species hold on some level to people, a level of cultural and spiritual significance." "I'm always struck to hear the emotional effects that it has on people to have seen a killer whale or just to look at awe at spawning sockeye salmon in a river … we're just so lucky to be able to live and coexist with probably the most diverse wildlife in all of North America." Voting is open until 10 p.m. Pacific time. Happy voting!