Poll Shows 80% of Canadians Support Coast-to-Coast Oil and Gas Pipelines

February 6, 2025 TruthUSA

Nearly eight in 10 Canadians are in favour of establishing a network of oil and gas pipelines across the country, as indicated by a recent survey.

An Angus Reid poll revealed that 79 percent of participants agreed with the notion that Canada should have oil and gas pipelines stretching from coast to coast.

Although the concept was particularly popular in Alberta, with 89 percent backing it, other provinces like Quebec and British Columbia also showed majority support, despite previous opposition to pipelines in those regions.

Support levels were high in Saskatchewan at 86 percent, followed by Manitoba, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada at 80 percent each. British Columbia residents were 76 percent in favor, while Quebec had the lowest support at 74 percent.

Rural residents showed stronger support for a national pipeline network compared to urban dwellers, with 88 percent of those in rural areas in favor, in contrast to 78 percent of urban dwellers.

Men tended to express more support than women, with 82 percent of males agreeing compared to 77 percent of females, based on an online survey of 1,811 Canadians.

Support levels varied based on the age of respondents, with older Canadians showing more support for a nationwide pipeline network. Eighty-seven percent of those 55 and older favored the idea, compared to 77 percent in the 35 to 54 age group, and 72 percent in the 18 to 34 age category.

Majority support was also evident across Canadians of different income and education levels.

Pipeline Push

The survey results come at a time when some provincial leaders are advocating for the revival of the long-delayed Energy East oil pipeline project.

The 4,600-kilometer pipeline was initially proposed in 2013 to transport crude oil from Alberta through six provinces to an export terminal in Saint John, N.B. TC Energy shelved the project in 2017 due to regulatory obstacles.

In 2023, 97 percent of Canada’s crude oil exports went to the United States, prompting Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to raise concerns about potential U.S. tariffs.

They argued that reviving the pipeline would reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S., enhancing the country’s economy by enabling it to export oil to other nations.

Despite Quebec Premier François Legault stating that there is currently no social acceptance in his province for the pipeline’s revival, he noted that this stance could change if U.S. tariffs necessitate it.

During a Feb. 3 press conference, Legault said, “Of course the economy and what Mr. Trump is doing may change the situation in the future. So if there’s social acceptability, we will be open to these kinds of projects.”

On Feb. 1, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended tariffs on Canadian energy imports following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The tariffs could be reinstated if Trump deems Canada’s progress insufficient.

Source link