British Columbians support Enbridge Inc.’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project by a 48% to 32% margin, according to an Ipsos Reid survey released January 5.
Enbridge, which commissioned the survey, wants to build twin underground pipelines from a site near Edmonton, Alberta to a new marine terminal in Kitimat so Canadian oil can more easily be transported to China.
Most British Columbians are not aware of the project, the survey found, so the support level for the project is likely to change as people become more familiar with Enbridge’s proposal.
Still, only 20% of survey respondents said that they were undecided. The top concern about the project was that it would generally harm the environment (43%), followed by the risk of spills and leaks (21%).
The most commonly cited benefit of the project was the economic stimulus and associated jobs (51%).
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom