Angus Reid released a survey Wednesday that says nearly six-in-10 Canadians consider a lack of pipeline capacity a “crisis”. Photo courtesy Angus Reid.
Nearly 60 per cent of Canadians consider a lack of new oil pipeline capacity a “crisis” in Canada, according to a new Angus Reid survey released Wednesday.
The public opinion data revealed 53 per cent of B.C. respondents shared that sentiment, along with an overwhelming 87 per cent from Alberta.
Angus Reid says every region agrees, except in Quebec where 60 per cent of respondents do not consider it a crisis.
Courtesy Angus Reid.
When asked about the government’s role to ensure new capacity is built, half of Canadians said the Trudeau Liberals are doing “too little” to complete projects, with 46 per cent feeling that way in B.C.
Only Quebec had a higher number than B.C.’s 37 per cent of respondents that felt Ottawa is pushing too hard to build pipeline capacity at 48 per cent.
Asked what impact, if any, no new oil pipeline capacity would have on provincial economies, 63 per cent in B.C. said it would have a “major or considerable impact”, trailing only Alberta (96 per cent) and Saskatchewan (82 per cent).
Photo courtesy Angus Reid.
When asked what industries are most critical to Canada, oil and gas topped the list at 65 per cent nationwide, including the same number for B.C.
While agriculture came second in all other regions, British Columbians said forestry and mining is the second most important industry.
Photo courtesy Angus Reid.
Photo courtesy Angus Reid.
Despite protests and opposition to prospective oil and gas projects in B.C., including the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and a liquified natural gas project in Kitimat, the majority of Canadians, and 57 per cent of British Columbians, say little weight should be given to local opposition.
By age group, the majority of Canadians ages 18-to-34 are not supportive of pipelines.
Just over half of survey respondents between 35 and 54 years were supportive of pipelines, and the most support was expressed by those over the age of 55 at 62 per cent, while 67 per cent of that group considered a lack of pipeline capacity a crisis.
CHEK News
