A new public opinion poll conducted by Research Co. on behalf of Canada Action confirms that a majority of Canadians support Canada's wealth-generating and environmentally responsible oil and gas sector.
The November 15th poll found that more than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) support Canada's role as a global oil and gas supplier, up five percentage points over a similar poll conducted in July. To add, 81% of respondents agree that global markets should prioritize jurisdictions like Canada that are leaders in climate action and environmental protection, up eight points versus the last survey.
"This is an incredible indication of the positive awareness that is building across Canada about the importance of our local oil and gas sector," said Cody Battershill, CEO and Founder of Canada Action. "The results show growing support across Canada for our nation's oil and gas sector, and that's a win!"
Additionally, the poll found that almost four-in-five Canadians (79%) agree that exporting responsible and reliable Canadian energy, expertise and technology to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is how our nation can play an important role in addressing climate change. With major advancements in GHG reductions over the past several years, it's easy to see how Canadian innovations could help other major energy producers improve their emission profiles.
The poll also found that almost three-in-four Canadians (73%) are proud of Canada's energy industry when thinking about carbon capture. With just half a percent of the world's population, Canada is home to 14% of globally deployed carbon capture and storage utilization projects.
Canada's oil and gas industry is also the largest spender on clean technology in the country, accounting for 75% of the $1.4 billion spent annually by all sectors. More than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) agree that this is an example of private investment in climate action that should be celebrated.
Meanwhile, continued global growth for oil and gas has many Canadians agreeing that those products should be coming from Canada. According to the poll, nearly seven-in-ten Canadians (69%) agree that Canada should be the choice supplier to meet future oil and gas demand.
"Canadians agree that the world needs more Canada, and with growing oil and gas demand, there is so much potential for Canadian communities," Battershill added. "With the recent energy security issues seen globally, it's a smart decision to invest in the responsible production of Canadian oil and gas.”
The poll also found that more than three in five Canadians (63%) agree that Canada's oil and gas sector is being portrayed unfairly. For example, according to a study in the Journal Science, if all global oil and gas producers adopted minimal Canadian flaring standards, emissions per barrel of oil produced globally would drop by 23% -- equivalent to taking approximately 100 million cars off the road. Where is the widespread recognition of our world-class flaring standards that could have tangible climate action results if applied around the world?! Now that is something to be proud of!
Below is a summary of all poll results collected by Research Co.
Public Opinion Poll Data:
- More than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) support Canada’s role as a global oil and gas supplier, up five points since our previous poll conducted in July 2021.
- Almost three-in-four Canadians (74%) agree that Canada should be a choice supplier of oil and gas to global markets.
- More than four-in-five Canadians (81%, +8) agree that global markets should prioritize jurisdictions like Canada that are leaders in climate leadership and environmental protection.
- Nearly eight-in-ten Canadians (79%) agree that Canada should be a choice recipient of investments due to its climate leadership and environmental policies.
- Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%) agree that Canada should be the choice supplier to meet future oil demand.
- More than three-in-five Canadians (62%) think it is wrong for Canada to forfeit energy opportunities to other jurisdictions with higher emissions, when thinking about LNG.
- More than three-in-four Canadians (77%) agree with supporting all Canadian energy in an inclusive manner that includes solar, wind, hydro, oil, and gas.
- More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) agree that Canada’s oil and gas sector is being portrayed unfairly.
- Having learnt that Canada ranks as a global leader on methane emission reductions and is well-positioned to continue demonstrating further improvement, just over three-in-ten Canadians (31%) are more likely to support Canada’s role as a global supplier upon learning this information, while 48% are just as likely to be supportive.
- Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) are more likely to support Canada’s role as a global supplier upon learning oil sands emissions intensities have decreased by 44 percent since 1995, while 48% are just as likely to be supportive.
- More than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) agree that Canada's oil and gas sector being the largest spender on clean technology is an example of private investment in climate action that should be celebrated.
- More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%) agree that the actions of the Oil Sands Pathways to New Zero alliance initiative exemplify Canada’s commitment to climate action.
- Almost three-in-four Canadians (73%) are proud of Canada’s energy industry, when thinking about carbon capture.
- Almost four-in-five Canadians (79%) agree that exporting responsible and reliable Canadian energy, expertise, and technology to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is how Canada can play one important role in addressing climate action.
- Almost four-in-five Canadians (79%, +9) agree that Canada should be a preferred recipient of investments due to its climate leadership and environmental policies.
- More than three-in-four Canadians (76%, +4) agree that sustainability measures are better served when energy is sourced from Canada compared to less environmentally friendly jurisdictions.
- Almost three-in-four Canadians (73%) agree that, as long as the world needs oil, Canada should be a preferred supplier.
- More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%, +8) agree that investing in Canada’s oil and gas sector makes sense if you value climate leadership, social progress and transparency.
Methodology:
- Results are based on an online study conducted on November 8 and November 9, 2021, among 1,000 adults in Canada.
- The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada.
- The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Join Us Today!
There is a soft-spoken majority of people in Canada that support our responsible oil and gas sector. More than 520,000 Canadian oil and gas families need your help to balance the conversation around our world-class petroleum sector, because supporting our energy workers here at home is also good for the global environment!
Learn more about why the world needs more Canadian oil and gas by joining us at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook today. Hope to see you there!