Good quality of life is good for workers and good for business
Article included on behalf of Joanne Bernard, Chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
In her recent Business Voice column, Halifax Chamber Board Chair Joanne Bernard emphasizes three points worth repeating. First, after recent elections at all three levels of government, we have a “tremendous opportunity to work together on issues that not only affect our quality of life but our living standards.” She also reminded us of the Strategic Pillars of the Chamber: affordability, labour and infrastructure. And finally, she wrote, “If it matters, measure it.”
The Nova Scotia 2025 Quality of Life Survey—coming to every household in the province this fall and led by Engage Nova Scotia—measures all three Strategic Pillars and is supported by governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. It sets those supporters, the business community and the broader public, on an evidence-based foundation to work together to improve quality of life and living standards for everyone.
The survey is unlike anything else happening in Canada, or around the world. It is like a national census because it asks someone in every household to tell their story—about their living arrangements, work experience, and educational opportunities. It’s unlike a census in that it asks questions that are foundational to individual and collective wellbeing—like time with friends, connections to nature, sense of community, work-life balance, trust in institutions, and hope for the future.
With this dataset, we will be able to create a view of how workers in all sectors of the economy are doing—compared by geography, employment level, and industry. This will provide an unprecedented opportunity to improve wellbeing, and consequently productivity and innovation—for the benefit of all.
As our first quality of life survey in 2019 showed, a vibrant economy and good quality of life are two sides of the same coin. A high quality of life leads to workforce attraction, and retention. Our 2019 survey showed that Nova Scotia workers who report having a high personal wellbeing are more productive, more engaged in work, less likely to leave their employment—and are healthier, physically and mentally. Good quality of life is good for workers, which is good for business.
To live a life of happiness, material comfort and purpose should not be the privilege of the few. It is the birthright of us all. This is why we are also dedicated to shining a spotlight on those facing barriers and challenges to their quality of life—ultimately, ensuring Nova Scotia is a province of equal opportunity for all.
This is more than a measurement exercise, it is a change exercise. It’s about providing you, your families, your colleagues and the broader community with the information we need to take better and more cost-effective steps towards a truly inclusive and highly productive economy.
So, we encourage you to take the survey when a request arrives through an invitation card in your mailbox. Our results are made available province-wide through our Wellbeing Mapping Tool which allows for a deeper dive into smaller regions of Halifax, and the rest of the province, by postal code.
We have been through a lot in recent years. Political polarization has been turbocharged, and life satisfaction in Canada is, sadly, falling dramatically. All of this is confusing and difficult—but we believe that in Nova Scotia we can rise to these challenges.
We have what it takes to build a future where everyone is included, where we set an example for the rest of Canada—and dare we say it—for the rest of the world. This begins with your contribution to participate in the survey—so when you receive your invitation in the mail, please go online and SHARE YOUR STORY, TAKE THE SURVEY AND SEED OUR FUTURE.
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