Canadians back new oil pipelines: Survey
The majority of Canadians believe that the development of new oil pipelines is “important to Canada’s economic future,” according to a recent Leger survey.
The majority of Canadians believe that the development of new oil pipelines is “important to Canada’s economic future,” according to a recent Leger survey.
The survey, commissioned by the National Post last week, found that 72 per cent of respondents agreed pipelines were important to Canada’s economy, “with 24 per cent calling them extremely important and 23 per cent very important.”
Additionally, 55 per cent said they were confident that pipelines could “be built while adequately protecting the environment.”
When asked to rank pipeline development and climate goals in terms of priority, 45 per cent of respondents answered that they’d like a “balance of both.” Only 17 per cent opposed, while 13 per cent said they “didn’t know.”
Just under half of Canadians say they supported the Alberta government’s plan for a new oil pipeline capable of exporting to Asian markets via the northwest coast of British Columbia.
“Confidence is highest in Atlantic Canada (67 per cent), in the Prairies (65 per cent) and Alberta (62 per cent), and lowest in Quebec (47 per cent). Confidence rises to 85 per cent among those who support the Alberta pipeline but drops sharply to 13 per cent among those who oppose it,” reads the survey.
“Among Canadians who are neutral on the project, confidence is also relatively low (43 per cent), suggesting that even those without a firm opinion remain unconvinced that pipelines can be developed responsibly.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans to submit a proposal to Ottawa’s Major Project Office in Calgary to build a crude-oil pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast earlier this month.
However, the plan has already become a bone of contention between Smith and B.C. Premier David Eby, who has expressed doubts over the proposal.
“I don’t believe it’s ever going to come to fruition because it is too expensive, and the cost of oil is too low, and there is no private proponent for it,” said Eby earlier this month.
However, Alberta has already put up $14 million towards preliminary regulatory work, with the long-term goal of having a private company take on the project.
Men were more likely to support new pipelines than women, at 58 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.
Similar differences were seen by age, with only 40 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 supporting a new pipeline in Alberta, while 56 per cent of those aged 55 and older were in support.
“Finally, just over half (52 per cent) think the federal government should support Alberta’s proposed pipeline project, while 16 per cent oppose such federal involvement,” it said.
“Once again, support is strongest in Alberta (65 per cent) and Manitoba/Saskatchewan (61 per cent), and lowest in British Columbia (46 per cent) and Quebec (44 per cent).”
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Just a quick question..
When was the last time that Federal Liberals, after an election had taken place, gave a rat's ass about what the majority of Canadians think?
Canadians have always wanted pipelines. It's the anti-canadian crowd like left wing politicians.and those who vote for them that don't. Mostly boomers.