Canada’s Energy Ambitions Have Public Support
On the campaign trail and on several occasions since, Prime Minister Carney has committed to making Canada an energy superpower. His government has announced support for five carbon capture projects, is reported to be in talks with the Pathways Alliance (an oil industry group), and has indicated at least one oil pipeline is very likely to make the government’s list of national strategic infrastructure projects.
Where do Canadians stand on the oil sands and new pipelines? Pretty solidly with the government.
Oil sands development
Six in ten Canadians think the development of the oil sands is good for Canada because it delivers economic benefits and creates jobs. Four in ten consider oil sands development bad because of environmental and climate damage. The current level of support for development matches the previous high reached in 2012.
When we started asking about support for the oil sands in 2008, over four in ten were in favour and one-third were opposed (the rest were unsure). Support gradually grew, peaking in 2012 at 62%. From that point, support declined to the mid-50s and stayed around that level from 2014 to 2024. Support has now rebounded to 62%.
We now find majority support in every region across the country, except Quebec where sentiment is divided 50% – 50%. As has regularly been the case, support is highest in Alberta and lowest in Quebec. There is also majority support among men and women, across all age groups, and among both Conservative and Liberal partisans. Only among partisans of the NDP, Greens, and BQ do we find majority opposition.
Construction of new export pipelines
Canadians are also supportive of new pipeline construction either to the West or East. Overall, nearly three-quarters strongly or somewhat support construction of new pipelines to deliver oil sands product to market.
Here again, we find strong support across genders, age groups, and regions – including Quebec. And while supporters of all political parties except the Greens are in favour of a new pipeline to the West Coast, a majority of NDP, Green, and BQ partisans oppose the construction of a new pipeline to Eastern Canada.
Canada’s climate targets
The federal government has committed to reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change. Its target is to bring emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 – only five years away. Seven in 10 Canadians believe it is possible to build new pipelines and still achieve an overall reduction in Canada’s GHG emissions; this optimism has increased since 2016 (up seven points).
This view is held by majorities in every region, and is further evidence of the public’s belief (or desire to believe) that the country can effectively balance its economic priorities and environmental responsibilities.
These results suggest Canadians are looking for positive economic news following a decade of slow growth. They are currently on board for using all of the country’s resources to generate economic activity and growth. Economic concern may be trumping green commitments for the moment, but Canadians would love to see progress on both fronts.
Also in the series: Where does climate change fit in the federal government’s energy agenda? Our survey data shows now is the time for clean energy advocates to consider which projects to put forward in the national interest that will capture the public’s imagination.
