BC Business
Pipeline by the roadside in Northeast B.C.
Over the past several years, much ink has been spilled and many comment boards filled with opinions on energy—its extraction, its transportation and related public policy. The debate has become particularly heated in energy-rich Western Canada—so we asked market research firm Insights West to poll Albertans and British Columbians on their attitudes. A total of 802 British Columbian adults and 705 Albertan adults responded to our field survey between October 3 and October 8.
For pollster Mario Canseco, two things stood out: one, Albertans are almost as concerned about the environment as their crunchy-granola neighbours (with 59 per cent of Albertans believing it is more important to protect the environment than foster economic growth, compared to 65 per cent of British Columbians). “This notion of the economy taking priority over environmental issues is not supported by a lot of people in both provinces,” says Canseco.
And second? Sixty-two per cent of Albertans are willing to give B.C. a share of oil revenues from Northern Gateway—one of B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s five conditions for getting a pipeline built but a demand vehemently opposed by former Alberta Premier Alison Redford. Canseco thinks it might have something to do with a more conciliatory tone set by new Alberta Premier Jim Prentice. “There’s a lot of trust in him to do the right thing and handle negotiations properly.”
1. What should take priority: B.C. green or Alberta crude black? We asked respondents to rank their views on whether the economy or the environment should take precedent.(B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
2. There’s been a lot of talk of recent about Canada’s need for a new “national energy policy.” Here’s what respondents see as Canada’s priorities when it comes to energy. (B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
3. Asia or America: Where should Canada export its oil and gas?(B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
4. How important are natural resources to your province’s economy?(B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
5. Overall, is your province a good place to do business?(B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
6. Is your province a good place to do business for oil and gas companies, wind and hydro startups, foresters and mining companies? Here’s how favourable respondents think their province treats the following sectors.(B.C. respondents are in green, Alberta respondents in red)
The results for B.C. have a 3.5 per cent margin of error while the results for Alberta have a 3.7 per cent margin of error.