A recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute revealed that most Canadians, including those in British Columbia, are in favor of a proposed pipeline connecting northern Alberta to B.C. However, there is less agreement on expediting the project.
The survey indicated that 59% of Canadians support or strongly support the pipeline, with the highest support coming from Alberta at 78%. Despite B.C. Premier David Eby’s strong opposition to the pipeline, the survey showed that 56% of British Columbians support the idea.
The poll coincides with a dispute between Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over a new bitumen pipeline proposal. Alberta intends to submit a formal application to the federal Major Projects Office, with a commitment of $14 million to the project.
While Eby raised concerns about Alberta being the sole proponent and the potential impact on oil tanker restrictions in B.C.’s northern waters, Smith criticized Eby’s rejection of the proposal as “un-Canadian” and “unconstitutional.”
According to the survey, 55% of Canadians support fast-tracking the pipeline project. Jon Roe, a research associate at the Angus Reid Institute, emphasized the importance of considering environmental protections, including consultation with Indigenous peoples, while advancing the project.
The survey also revealed that 46% of Canadians, including 52% of British Columbians, believe that any province where a pipeline is constructed should have veto rights unless specific conditions are met.
Richard Masson, an executive fellow at the University of Calgary, suggested that changing sentiments among Canadians may be influenced by recent shifts in international relations, particularly with President Donald Trump’s administration. The survey indicated a shift in priorities, with 57% of Canadians now prioritizing economic growth over environmental protection.
Nearly half of Canadians expressed support for either repealing the federal oil tanker ban (23%) or making exceptions for the northern B.C. pipeline project (26%). In B.C., 44% lean towards allowing tanker traffic on the province’s northern coast.
B.C. Premier Smith has voiced optimism about revising the oil tanker restrictions, while Energy Minister Tim Hodgson emphasized the need for Alberta to secure approval from the B.C. government and affected Indigenous communities for the pipeline project to proceed.
The public sentiment regarding the pipeline’s construction will likely continue to influence the decisions of political leaders. Masson highlighted the symbolic significance of pipelines and emphasized the importance of weighing the risks and rewards associated with their development.