Poll Reveals Majority Backing for Alberta‑BC and Alberta‑Ontario Pipelines
A recent Angus Reid Institute survey found that 63% of Canadians support the proposed Alberta‑to‑British Columbia pipeline, while 55% back the plan to ship oil to Sarnia, Ontario. Support rose slightly after arguments were presented, moving from 61% to 63% nationally.
Regional Support Variations
Support is highest in Alberta at 76% and lowest in Quebec at 50%. In British Columbia, 62% of respondents said they back the pipeline despite decades of opposition in the province.
Arguments Shaping Public Opinion
Economic Reasons Favoring the Pipelines
55% of supporters cite the ability to sell oil to markets beyond the United States as the most compelling reason. Additional economic arguments include the importance of oil to the national economy (51%) and job creation and economic growth (45%).
Concerns Raised by Opponents
41% of respondents, including half of those in Quebec, consider the strongest argument against the Alberta‑BC pipeline to be the need to invest in renewable energy instead. 34% doubt that economic benefits are concentrated enough to justify the project, and 30% worry about environmental risks and potential oil spills.
Public Awareness and Commitment
Knowledge of the Projects
Almost nine in ten Canadians (88%) have heard at least a little about the Alberta‑BC pipeline, whereas 41% of respondents have never heard of the Alberta‑Ontario pipeline.
Stability of Public Position
Only about half of Canadians have committed to either project. For the Alberta‑BC pipeline, 47% say their stance is fixed while 53% indicate they could change their mind.
The survey, conducted online from July 10 to 14, 2026, included a randomized sample of 2,649 Canadian adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.
Government Announcement and Project Details
Project Launch
The Alberta government unveiled the pipeline on July 2, 2026, proposing a route along the existing Trans Mountain corridor that would move one million barrels of oil per day.
Cross‑Provincial Scope
The project announced on July 6 by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spans 3,300 kilometres, carrying crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s climate priorities after wildfires in Toronto produced the world’s worst air quality, stating he agrees that Canada should stay the course on climate goals while emphasizing that the pipeline’s emissions‑reduction terms address previous legislative shortfalls.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves‑François Blanchet criticized the approach, arguing that building a new pipeline while aiming to cut emissions is contradictory and urging a return to genuine climate action.
