Majority of Canadians See Oil & Natural Gas as Important to Current Economy: POLLS

Majority of Canadians See Oil & Natural Gas as Important to Current Economy: POLLS

RECENT POSTS

Nanos Poll - the World Needs More Canadian Oil and Natural Gas v2

This blog has been edited due to Bill C-59

A series of polls done by Nanos Research and commissioned by the University of Ottawa since November 2020 show that a large majority of Canadians see oil and natural gas as critical to the current economy [1][4].

According to the latest poll conducted in January 2024, roughly three-quarters of Canadians (74%) rated oil and natural gas as "important" to the economy. Respondents were asked to provide a score on a scale of 0-10, with 7-10 considered "important," a 4-6 "neutral," and 0-3 "not important." The poll returned a mean score of 7.8.

Previous polls also found that most Canadians agree consistently on the economic importance of oil and gas. For example:

  • August 2023 – 78% rated oil and gas as "important," with a mean score of 8.1
  • January 2023 – 74%, mean score of 7.9
  • August 2021 – 68%, mean score of 7.6
  • November 2020 – 65%, mean score of 7.3

Importance of oil and natural gas to Canada's economy - POLLS by UofOttawa and Nanos Research

The survey also asked what Canadians thought about the importance of the oil and gas sector to Canada's future economy. Results trended similarly, with 54% of respondents saying it is "important" in January 2024, up from 41% in November 2020 and 45% in August 2021 but down slightly from 57% seen in polling from January and August 2023. 

Poll Highlights

Alberta Oil and Gas Banner 1 - Copy

• Almost three-in-four, or 74% of Canadians agree that the oil and natural gas sector is "important" to Canada's current economy (January 2024)

• More than half, or 53% of Canadians agree that the oil and natural gas sector is "important" to Canada's future economy, versus 24% who are "neutral" and 19% who say it is "not important" and 4% who are "unsure" (January 2024)

• 52% of Canadians collectively either "agree" or "somewhat agree" that oil and natural gas exports should be expanded to help strengthen global energy security, versus 40% who "somewhat disagree" or "disagree" and 7% who are "unsure" (January 2024)

Oil & Gas and the Economy

Canada's oil and gas sector to generate over 1.1 trillion in revenues for governments between 2000 and 2023

It's no secret that oil and natural gas are the "backbone" of Canada's economy. Not only does the sector account for a significant share of our country's total merchandise exports, but it is also a significant job creator for workers and revenue generator for our governments. For example:

• 442,100 jobs are supported by petroleum in Canada's economy, with approximately 10,400 Indigenous People also employed by the industry

• The oil and natural gas sector generated $578.7 billion in revenues for Canadian governments between 2000 and 2021 [2]

• Upstream oil and natural gas are projected to generate more than $594 billion for Canadian governments between 2023-2032 [3]

• In total, the oil and natural gas sector is projected to generate more than $1.1 trillion for Canadian governments between 2000-2032, used to pay for schools, hospitals, roads, etc. [2][3]

Support Canadian Energy

i love oil and gas banner

With global oil and natural gas demand projected to grow for many years to come, it only makes sense that these energy sources come from producers like Canada, which supports Canadian families and governments.

We choose Canadian energy, and so should you!

SOURCES:

1 – Nanos Poll – Views of Canadians on Canada's Energy Future – Date Accessed: October 2023 (https://nanos.co/views-of-canadians-on-canadas-energy-future-university-of-ottawas-positive-energy-nanos/)

2 – Canadian Energy Centre – $495 billion in government revenues from the Canadian oil and gas industry projected over next decade – Date Accessed: March 2023 (https://www.canadianenergycentre.ca/495-billion-in-government-revenues-from-the-canadian-oil-and-gas-industry-projected-over-next-decade/)

3 – Canadian Energy Centre – $755 billion: The energy sector's revenue contribution to Canadian governments, 2000-2021 – Date Accessed: March 2023 (https://www.canadianenergycentre.ca/755-billion-the-energy-sectors-revenue-contribution-to-canadian-governments-2000-2021/)

4 - https://www.dailyoilbulletin.com/article/2024/2/22/part-1-canadians-want-climate-action-but-see-an-im/?ntoken=i8plAJvQzXnrfGURuTx7Ko3azfwhiQn2ilMrxC8tNTRaFilJLklX27t0RxRjI2gmVdJWa0toh1J20sadkSv4UAk%2FrUaPgktBgk6wZYQggGBqbw3oA7YkHxs5xEPMdGUP