Quebecers are living in fear, loneliness and suspicion - at least in comparison with the rest of Canadians - a recent Statscan study reveals.
Now I'm usually shrugtastically immune to eye-popping jaw-
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droppers like this. But this haunts.
Compared to the Rest of Canada, Quebecers came in dead last in all categories of questions relating to our healthy views and dealings towards others based on Statscan survey numbers from 2003, 2008 and 2013.
When asked if they participate in group activities, (ie: community organizations and associations) only 57 percent of Quebecers replied yes.
Every other province scored higher, with B.C. leading at 71 percent. The only other province with a toll nearly as low as Quebec was New Brunswick, four percent higher.
When asked "can people be trusted?" Quebec came in dead last again, with just over one in three saying that yes, they could. That is far below any other province, which all registered over 50 percent, with PEI and BC coming tops with almost two-of-three replying yes.
Quebec also came in last when asked whether they thought their neighbour would return their wallet.
The study also shows that we have fewer friends than people in other provinces.
Why the suspicion Quebec?
Theoretically there might be some sort of translation issue that causes Quebec to be such a radical outlier in these numbers.
It could also be spun positively, that Quebecers are independent and less gullible.
But nah, there's nothing noble about this. Developing countries tend also to have such paranoia towards others, while wealthier countries - like the Scandinavian countries - tend to have more trust.
Why we're so different is a mystery. Maybe it's something in Quebec's longstanding mission to be what they're trying to be is at the root of this.
But it sure gets you thinking that if you picked up your tent and moved to B.C. - or any other province - your dealings with others might be richer and more rewarding than what you're enduring now and that's a sad thought.
Now I'm usually shrugtastically immune to eye-popping jaw-
Compared to the Rest of Canada, Quebecers came in dead last in all categories of questions relating to our healthy views and dealings towards others based on Statscan survey numbers from 2003, 2008 and 2013.
When asked if they participate in group activities, (ie: community organizations and associations) only 57 percent of Quebecers replied yes.
Every other province scored higher, with B.C. leading at 71 percent. The only other province with a toll nearly as low as Quebec was New Brunswick, four percent higher.
When asked "can people be trusted?" Quebec came in dead last again, with just over one in three saying that yes, they could. That is far below any other province, which all registered over 50 percent, with PEI and BC coming tops with almost two-of-three replying yes.
Quebec also came in last when asked whether they thought their neighbour would return their wallet.
The study also shows that we have fewer friends than people in other provinces.
Why the suspicion Quebec?
Theoretically there might be some sort of translation issue that causes Quebec to be such a radical outlier in these numbers.
It could also be spun positively, that Quebecers are independent and less gullible.
But nah, there's nothing noble about this. Developing countries tend also to have such paranoia towards others, while wealthier countries - like the Scandinavian countries - tend to have more trust.
Why we're so different is a mystery. Maybe it's something in Quebec's longstanding mission to be what they're trying to be is at the root of this.
But it sure gets you thinking that if you picked up your tent and moved to B.C. - or any other province - your dealings with others might be richer and more rewarding than what you're enduring now and that's a sad thought.