MONTREAL – A majority of Canadians are in favour of all 5 of the major pipelines currently under study and intended to carry Western oil to market, according to a national survey conducted by CROP on behalf of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, the Canada West Foundation, The Federal Idea and the Mowat Centre. The survey also reveals that most Canadians think Canada should be equipped with national oil and gas pipelines and a pan-canadian electricity grid so that all regions have access to our energy resources.

The survey is a unique common initiative by these four think tanks. It engaged 2000 participants, offering an in-depth view of Canadians’ opinions on natural resource development. According to the results, most Canadians share the view that natural resource industries (forestry, mines, oil & gas) benefit the whole country. However, the belief that the oil sands and shale gas development provides benefits to the whole country is more muted.

Pipelines are believed to be a safe way to transport oil and gas by 64% of Canadians; not surprisingly following the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, only 38% (27% in Québec) think trains are safe. While 83% of Canadians are favourable to the development of the oil sands, 41% believe development should be slowed down, while 42% are happy with the current pace.

A large majority think governments and citizens should do more to fight climate change, which 76% of Canadians (84% in Québec and the Atlantic provinces) believe is the result of human activity and will have serious consequences for the environment.

The survey also uncovers significant regional and gender variations, with women and Quebecers less likely to support natural resource industries in general and the oil sands in particular. Westerners are less critical of both provincial and federal governments record on climate change than other Canadians.

Other highlights:

• As a source of benefits for the whole country, forestry receives the largest support (76%) and shale gas the smallest (42%).

• Canadian women hold a more negative view of the natural resources industries. For instance, only 35% think the shale gas industry holds benefits for the entire country (50% amongst men).

• More Canadians agree with the four major Canadian pipeline projects than disagree: Energy East (57% for, 25% against), Northern Gateway (51% for, 28% against), TransMountain (49% for, 28% against) and the reversal of pipeline 9b (45% for, 31% against).

• 62% of the Canadians polled think US President Barack Obama should give the green light on the Keystone XL pipeline.

• While a plurality of Canadians say they support a cap and trade system to combat climate change (43% – 34%), a plurality say they oppose a carbon tax (47% – 38%).

• 78% of Canadians think the country should do more to process our natural resources rather than exporting crude products.

The online survey was conducted from September 24 to September 30 2013.

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Canada and its Natural Resources, the CROP report on this survey, can also be found at www.apec-econ.ca, www.mowatcentre.ca, and www.federalidea.ca.