British Columbians are split when it comes to support for the federal government’s recent decision to approve Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, according to the most recent poll.
Of those surveyed in Insights West, 45% in B.C. oppose the pipeline; this is the same percentage of those who approve of it, but the level of those who express strong opposition (28%) is higher than those with strong support (18%).
Support for the project increased since Insights West conducted its previous poll asking the same questions; in August, 46% opposed the project and 40% supported it.
“The federal government’s verdict has boosted support fort the Trans Mountain project in British Columbia, but not to a point where a clear majority of residents side with one of the options,” said Insights West’s vice-president of public affairs Mario Canseco.
“British Columbians who already were opposed to this project remain in the same column.”
Women were less likely to support the pipeline than men (48% versus 52%). Those over 55 (58%) and those who voted Liberal in the last provincial election (64%) were more likely to express support than were those aged 18-34 (56%) and those who voted NDP (64%).
Fifty per cent of those polled said they believe the pipeline should be put to a province-wide plebiscite; if such a vote were to take place 43% said they would vote “yes” for the expansion, compared with 44% who would vote “no.”
The biggest concerns about the project remain oil tanker traffic near Vancouver (83%), the potential for an oil spill (76%), environmental damage caused by its construction (72%), impacts on First Nations (64%) and climate change (60%).
This most recent study shows less support for the pipeline than an Ipsos Reid survey released December 15 that found 54% of British Columbians were in favour of the pipeline and only 26% were opposed. The latter survey was commissioned by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
@EmmaHampelBIV
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