Statistics Canada found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Canadians are very satisfied with their local environment. However, this number increases for those who are older and those who live in rural areas.
Statistics Canada has released new data that shows that the majority of Canadians like the environment in which they live.
The Survey, which last August and September collected information from those 15 and up across the country’s 10 provinces, found two-thirds of Canadians reported high levels of satisfaction with their local environment.
People from Prince Edward Island were the most satisfied with their environment (76%), followed by Saskatchewan (75%) and Newfoundland & Labrador (75%).
B.C. With 68.9% satisfaction, B.C. was the fourth most satisfied province after Quebec.
Canada’s rural residents were happier than those living in cities, with 75% saying they are happy with their environment.
Age is also a factor. People over 65 are happier with their natural surroundings.
Statistics Canada found that there was a very small difference in the satisfaction levels of men and women with their living environment.
Why is it important that you are happy with your environment?
Multiple studies have shown the positive effects nature has on human health. Studies in science. One study from Metro Vancouver found that one year ago, children’s health and cognitive abilities depend on access to nature; when other research looking at the same cohort of nearly 30,000 children was published in February 2022, it found that ADHD was linked with air pollution and a lack green space.
Some Canadian doctors are turning to the outdoors for therapy, prescribing nature and national park passes to improve people’s mental health.
As the national statistics agency put it, “People with high satisfaction with their local environment tend to say they have high levels of life satisfaction and mental health.”
According to a previous survey from 2019, nine in 10 Canadian households lived within 10 minutes of a park or public green space — and of those, 85 per cent had visited a park over the previous year.
Top 10 outdoor activities that people are most satisfied with their environment
Everyone has their favourite outdoor activities. But on average, Canadians satisfied with the outdoors tended to coalesce around some sports, activities or pursuits more than others.
Statistics Canada lists the top 10 outdoor activities Canadians were most satisfied with their surroundings as of 2021’s summer and fall.
