About the Quality of Life Framework for Canada

The Quality of Life Framework is a high-level national framework that monitors key determinants of well-being for people living in Canada. The Framework can be used by decision makers as planning tool to inform priorities and develop policies, programs and budgets that lay out a path toward better outcomes.

The Framework consists of a set of 91 indicators, organized into a series of domains: prosperity, health, society, environment, and good governance. It also includes two lenses which are applied across all of its domains: the Fairness and inclusion lens and the Sustainability and resilience lens. The development of the Framework is a recognition that social and environmental factors, alongside economic growth contribute to improved quality of life.

The Framework was developed in 2020/2021 through meetings and consultations led by the Department of Finance Canada. It was publicly released in Budget 2021 alongside federal budget investments aimed at strengthening national datasets to improve quality of life measurements. These measurements would, in turn, be incorporated into decision making and budgeting. The intention is that the Framework will remain evergreen and evolve over time to capture important issues as they emerge.

In December 2021, the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) assumed leadership for refining and strengthening the Framework and advancing its implementation across government, to ensure the Government of Canada achieves long-term outcomes that benefit people and the places they live.

In March 2022, Statistics Canada launched Canada's Quality of Life Hub, bringing together important economic, social and environmental datasets to support the measurement of quality of life for the people of Canada. The Hub includes quality of life indicators with definitions, information about the data, as well as relevant releases and data products. This content aims to help inform policy and provide decision-makers with data and information in key areas related to the quality of life of people living in Canada.

In May 2025, a Quality of Life and Well-Being cabinet committee was established to consider ways to improve community safety and health, advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and augment the overall quality of life and well-being of Canadians.

The Quality of Life Framework for Canada infosheet provides a visual snapshot of the Framework, and a full list of its indicators.

For reference products related to the Quality of Life Framework for Canada, refer to Quality of life analysis and reference products.