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Those opposed to both BC and ON projects say Canada should be more concerned about environment
July 16, 2026 – The Calgary Stampede political circuit was focused on the two Ps: pancakes and pipelines. Plenty of the former were flipped while plans were laid for the latter.
Now, new data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds majority support both for the long awaited proposal for a new pipeline from Alberta to B.C. (63%) and the less heralded announcement of a plan to bring oil to Sarnia, Ontario touted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford (55%).
However, in both cases, only about half of Canadians say they have truly made up their minds about the projects, suggesting both proposed pipelines sit on proverbially shifting ground. In the case of the Alberta to B.C. pipeline, one-quarter of Canadians (27%) say their support for the project is immovable while 33 per cent say they currently support the project but could be convinced otherwise. The minority (21%) in opposition are similarly split between those who have made up their minds (11%) and those who say they could be convinced to support the pipeline (10%).
The arguments most compelling to Canadians to build the Alberta-to-B.C pipeline are economic. A majority (55%) say diversifying Canada’s oil markets away from the U.S. and the general importance of oil to Canada’s economy (51%) are convincing arguments to build. More than two-in-five (45%) also like that the pipeline would bring jobs.
But 41 per cent say in turn that Canada should be investing in renewable energy instead, underscoring their reasons not to pursue Alberta’s B.C. pipeline project. One-third (34%) also worry Canadians may not see economic benefit that would outweigh the cost of construction along the existing Trans Mountain corridor.
Notably, in B.C., where resistance to pipelines has been a persistent story throughout the past two decades, three-in-five (62%) say they support this new project proposed by Alberta. Two-in-five (40%) in B.C. say they find the fact that the pipeline won’t be breaking a new path and will instead follow the existing Trans Mountain pipeline as a compelling reason to support the project.
Also key to this discussion: Canadians appear well-versed in the western project. Nine-in-10 (88%) have either been following it closely (27%) or know a little (60%). And support changes little when it’s asked before the arguments for and against the project are presented to respondents (61%) and after respondents have had a chance to weigh the arguments (63%).
More Key Findings:
- Knowledge of the proposed Alberta to Ontario project is much lower. Two-in-five (41%) hadn’t heard of it compared to the eight per cent who say the same of the Alberta to B.C. pipeline.
- Economic arguments also drive support for the potential Ontario pipeline. A majority (55%) say they’re compelled by the argument that it would create jobs and half (52%) say oil is an important source of income to Canada’s economy.
- For both pipelines, national unity appears to be a secondary reason driving support. One-in-eight (13%) say they find that compelling as a reason to build the B.C. pipeline; one-in-five (18%) say the same of the Ontario project.
Link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/
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