CBC: Canadians a satisfied bunch, study finds (Second only to the Danes)

[pampango]

Members of the crowd wave flags during the Canada Day parade in Montreal. The study
found Quebecers were among those most likely to be happy with their lives.

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards says more than 90 per cent of Canadians surveyed report they are either satisfied or very satisfied with their lives. The centre says a recent Gallup world poll rated Canada as the second most satisfied nation, ranked only behind Denmark.

"We do have high levels of income. We have weathered the financial crisis better than other countries of the world," Sharpe said in a telephone interview.

"We do have a good health system. We complain about it, but at least there's full coverage of all Canadians ... We do have a lot of advantages as a country."

"I don't want to go to complacency. 'Oh, aren't we great,' therefore there are no problems in Canada. That's not where this is going," he said. "We can do better."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/09/25/canada-happiest-country-life-satisfaction.html

Better regulation of banks and the financial community leading to a better 'weathering of the financial crisis' , a 'good health system' and stronger safety net in general - not surprising that Canadians are more satisfied than Americans.