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December's numbers reveal a 0.60-point decrease in Quebec's RHI compared to November (74.70 vs. 75.30). This drop of more than half a point could seem significant if the short amount of time between the two is taken into consideration and the fact that, in principle, happiness, is a relatively stable notion, especially when it characterizes an entire community.

At this point, however, it would be difficult to explain or justify the reasons for the drop. On the other hand, the time of the year (November 14 to December 8) when the data were compiled certainly didn't have a positive influence. Fall, with its festival of colors, is fading and winter is looming. The time changes and the days grow shorter. Grey and cold weather set in. This and all the concerns of the season weigh heavy on the mood and happiness of people. And let's not forget that the weather is a common topic of discussion among Quebeckers.

The results from January's RHI may shed some light on this topic.

Offsetting this drop, there was a major increase in the differential between the number of people who claimed their levels of happiness improved last year (50%) vs. those who felt the opposite (19%). December's differential climbed to 31, compared with 22 in November.