Most respondents agree it can be done while respecting the environment
TORONTO: Most Canadians believe it is possible to respect the environment while increasing oil and gas production, according to a Canadian Chamber of Commerce survey.
The Ipsos Reid poll found 65% of Canadians agree, including 25% who strongly agree, that it’s possible to increase oil and gas production while protecting the environment at the same time.
Agreement is higher among Albertans (80%) and Saskatchewan/Manitoba residents (73%), 70% in BC, 68% in Atlantic Canada and 64% in Ontario and lowest among Quebec residents (55%).
Respondents are more pro than con about the development of the oil sands. Nearly twice as many Canadians agree (57%) as disagree (29%) that development of the oil sands outweighs the negatives.
Eighty per cent, including 48% who agree strongly, that domestic refineries use Canadian oil ahead of imported oil even if it means shipping it across the country to be refined.
Respondents (75%) also think it’s important to diversify the export markets for Canadian oil and gas away from the US.
There were 2,008 respondents to the survey conducted between April 23 and 26. Margin of error is ±2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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