Majority of Canadians Prioritize Economy Over Environment in Energy Policy

A majority of Canadians now prioritize economic growth over environmental protection in federal energy policy, marking a shift from seven years ago, according to a report released Monday by the Angus Reid Institute.

The poll found that 61 percent of respondents selected economic growth as the biggest priority when offered two options for shaping energy policy. This reverses previous sentiment, when 55 percent favored environmental protection in a similar survey.

Support for specific pipeline projects has also grown, particularly in British Columbia. Nearly two thirds of British Columbians back the recently approved $4 billion expansion of Enbridge's Westcoast natural gas pipeline, with 17 percent opposed and 22 percent unsure. Nationally, 55 percent support the project, 17 percent oppose it and 28 percent are undecided.

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed pipeline development in an interview on May 1, stating that a new pipeline is "more probable than possible." He emphasized the need to boost energy production and exports while tackling emissions through technologies like carbon capture and storage. Carney recently met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss a proposed...