The happiest people, according to the submissions from across Canada, were quick to laugh and slow to complain.Illustration by Nada Hayek/The Globe and Mail
The Q&A is now closed. Read the answers here.
What makes a happy life?
As part of a year-long investigation of happiness, The Globe and Mail’s Erin Anderssen set out to answer this question by asking Canadians to send in the names of the happiest people they know. Across the country, friends, family and co-workers responded with more than a hundred nominations – young and old, from a range of backgrounds and professions, living in cities and small towns across the country.
The happiest people, according to the submissions, were quick to laugh and slow to complain. The submissions described people who were good listeners, generous volunteers and gentle jokers – the kind of person you could count on when life was lousy, and who is resilient when facing adversity. Some wrote about best friends who nourished a room with their positive presence. Grandkids celebrated grandparents who “radiated happiness,” and vice versa. Parents and partners were lauded for their stalwart problem-solving during family stress.
Today at 1 p.m. ET, Erin Anderssen will be answering all your questions about her feature on the “happiest people in Canada.” She’ll chat about her beat as a happiness reporter, and her life-changing interviews and the lessons she learned about staying positive, making connections and flourishing in 2025.
Globe and Mail subscribers can ask a question or leave a comment, but registered non-subscribers can still view the questions and responses. To submit a question, fill out this form or scroll down to the comments section of this article.
How do the happiest Canadians cultivate joy? How do they respond to adversity? What advice do they have for those of us seeking to elevate our own sense of well-being? Submit your questions below.