Congratulations, Quebecers!

We are among the happiest people in the world, at least according to ourselves.

In the recent UN World Report on Happiness, covering 147 countries and territories, incredibly Quebec finished sixth.

We trailed Iceland and several Scandinavian countries like Finland, which is perpetually rated the Happiness Headquarters of planet Earth.

Quebecers scored 7.3 out of 10 in self-reported happiness while English Canada got 6.6, placing Canada 18th overall in the happiness race.

Just why are we Quebecers among the happiest places on earth, at least in our own eyes? What makes us so gleeful despite our endless construction cones, traffic jams, language debates and minus-20 degree winters?

What is it we share with the world’s other officially happiest places? For starters:

High taxes: The report found highly-taxed countries are generally happier, while lower-taxed nations are unhappier.

Much like Scandinavia in Europe, Quebec has the highest tax rate in North America. Bravo taxpayers!

Maybe if we volunteer to pay even higher taxes we will be even happier? (Hmmm, cancel that thought).

What’s behind this connection?........

© Montreal Gazette