Majority of Canadians Support Pipeline with Conditions, Poll Shows

A recent poll indicates that a majority of Canadians support a proposed pipeline transporting Alberta bitumen to British Columbia’s northern coast, but substantial opposition persists, particularly in B.C. The survey, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute on November 26-27, 2023, reveals that 60 per cent of Canadians favor the new westbound pipeline, while 25 per cent oppose it and 15 per cent remain undecided.

Support for the pipeline is notably stronger in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where it reaches 74 per cent. In British Columbia, 53 per cent of respondents expressed conditional support for the project, compared to 37 per cent opposed. Although this marks an improvement in acceptance from previous years, the poll suggests that B.C.’s approval is not assured.

The findings come shortly after Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an energy cooperation agreement outlining the conditions necessary for any pipeline proposal to be considered under federal regulations. Carney emphasized that the framework is designed to stimulate industry interest, but noted that a private-sector proponent is essential for the project to advance.

Public concern remains a significant barrier to progress, particularly regarding the potential alteration of a moratorium on tanker traffic that has been in place for over 50 years along B.C.’s northwest coast. The agreement between the federal government and Alberta includes provisions for an “adjustment” to this tanker ban. Nationally, 47 per cent of respondents believe that either a modification is appropriate (26 per cent) or that the ban should be completely lifted (21 per cent). Conversely, 38 per cent of British Columbians prefer to maintain the ban, with nearly unanimous opposition to the pipeline within this group.

Another 15 per cent of B.C. respondents expressed uncertainty about their stance, a demographic that could play a crucial role in swaying public opinion regarding the pipeline’s future.

The involvement of Indigenous communities is a critical aspect of the discussion. Both Carney and Smith underscored that Indigenous participation and co-ownership must be integral elements of any forthcoming proposal. Nationally, three in five respondents, including a slim majority in B.C., believe that Indigenous support should be a prerequisite for any pipeline project.

As it stands, the project lacks a formal proponent. Carney reiterated that without one, the plan cannot move forward. Full poll results can be accessed at angusreid.org.