Majority of Canadians support national energy strategy: poll
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
87 per cent of those surveyed said nation needs a Canadian energy strategy to plan energy future
Halifax, N.S.—Canadians believe the country needs a national energy strategy in place to improve sustainability, according to a new poll.
A majority of those polled were found to be in favour of a plan that would reduce fossil fuel dependence, cut energy waste, created more clean-energy jobs, fought climate change and set aside a portion of oil wealth to help prepare for a clean and renewable energy future.
“Citizens are hungry for a smart plan that will move the nation forward on the emerging global clean-energy opportunity and tackle climate change at the same time,” Tides Canada energy initiative director Merran Smith said in a statement. “If the premiers are ready to forge a bold new energy plan to make Canada a clean-energy leader, the nation is ready for it.”
Tides Canada commissioned Harris/Decima to poll Canadians as provincial premiers got together in the Nova Scotia capital to discuss the shape and scope of a potential Canadian energy strategy at the Council of Federation meeting.
Canadians were asked to indicate to what degree they would prioritize a series of objectives for a potential Canadian energy strategy, according to Tides Canada.
They identified improving energy efficiency as a “top” or “high” priority (82 per cent); creating more jobs in clean energy (75 per cent); reducing Canada’s carbon pollution to slow down climate change (66 per cent); and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal (66 per cent).
In contrast, only 33 per cent of those surveyed placed a “top” or “high” priority on exporting more of Canada’s oil and gas resources.
Meanwhile, the poll found 82 per cent of those surveyed said they either “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that Canada should set aside a portion of its oil wealth to help prepare the nation for a clean and renewable energy future.
The idea of a Canadian energy strategy resonates strongly with citizens.
87 per cent of those surveyed either “strongly” or “somewhat” agree with the statement, “the nation needs a Canadian energy strategy to plan its energy future.”
Last week, an unprecedented and diverse ad-hoc alliance of more than 700 companies and organizations challenged premiers to work together in Halifax to develop a clean energy accord.
The Harris-Decima teleVox surveyed 1,005 Canadians by telephone between July 5th and 9th, 2012.
