The iconic red cliffs and rolling green hills of Prince Edward Island have long symbolized a certain kind of Canadian idyll, which is why many Islanders were taken aback this week when a national happiness survey ranked PEI dead last among Canadian provinces.
“I almost dropped my coffee when I saw the headlines,” says Charlotte MacKenzie, a third-generation potato farmer from Kensington. “We’ve always prided ourselves on our community spirit and quality of life. Something about these numbers doesn’t add up.”
The comprehensive 2025 Canadian Well-Being Index, released Tuesday by the National Institute for Social Research, evaluated factors including healthcare access, economic opportunity, environmental quality, and community connections across all provinces and territories. While the maritime province scored high marks for environmental quality and community bonds, it performed poorly in categories related to economic opportunity, healthcare access, and winter wellness.
Dr. James Holloway, the lead researcher behind the study, acknowledges the findings have generated significant debate. “What we’re seeing is a complex picture that challenges some long-held assumptions,” he told CO24 News. “PEI has undeniable strengths, but residents are increasingly concerned about healthcare wait times and economic pressures that weren’t as pronounced a decade ago.”
The timing of the survey has also raised eyebrows, as it was conducted during January and February—traditionally the harshest winter months on the Island when tourism is at its lowest and seasonal employment drops significantly.
“Asking us how we feel about life during a February blizzard is like asking someone how they enjoy swimming while they’re drowning,” quips Sarah Thompson, who operates a bed and breakfast in Cavendish. “Talk to us in July when the island is alive, and you’ll get a completely different response.”
Provincial officials have responded with a mixture of concern and skepticism. Premier Jessica MacDonald addressed the findings during a press conference covered by CO24 Politics, stating: “While we take this research seriously, we must consider the seasonal context and the unique challenges our province has faced recently, including housing pressures from increasing migration to the Island.”
The survey results come at a challenging time for PEI’s economy. Tourism, the province’s second-largest industry after agriculture, has recovered unevenly from pandemic-era disruptions, according to CO24 Business reporting. Meanwhile, the island’s healthcare system struggles with doctor shortages—a problem throughout Canada but particularly acute in smaller provinces.
Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a social psychologist not involved with the study, suggests the findings might reflect changing expectations rather than declining conditions. “As Canadian society becomes increasingly urban and digital, what constitutes happiness is evolving. Rural communities experience this transition differently than urban centers, which might explain some of the regional variations we’re seeing.”
Island residents haven’t taken the results lying down. Local communities have launched a grassroots campaign called “Happy Islander” to document the positive aspects of PEI life that they feel were overlooked in the study. The initiative has already collected thousands of testimonials and photographs celebrating island culture and community.
“This study might be statistically valid, but it misses the intangibles that make life here meaningful,” explains Robert MacLean, a retired schoolteacher from Montague. “How do you quantify stopping to help a neighbor during a snowstorm, or the feeling of security when everyone knows your name? These things matter enormously to quality of life.”
As provincial leaders and community organizations digest the findings, they’re considering ways to address legitimate concerns while challenging what many view as an incomplete picture. Healthcare investment, winter wellness programs, and economic diversification strategies all feature prominently in discussions about the path forward.
The surprising rankings have sparked a broader national conversation about how we measure happiness and whether standardized metrics can truly capture the diverse ways Canadians experience well-being across our vast country. Does statistical measurement capture the full dimension of human happiness, or are we missing something essential when we try to quantify the quality of our lives?
