60% could support Alberta-B.C. pipeline: Angus Reid Institute

Key Concepts

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ottawa and Alberta
• Northern pipeline project (BC to Alberta)
• Tanker ban in British Columbia
• Canadian sovereignty over critical resources
• Foreign investment (specifically US and Chinese)

Public Opinion on the Northern Pipeline

• National Support: 60% of Canadians nationally support the idea of a northern pipeline between British Columbia and Alberta.
• British Columbia Support: Support in British Columbia is lower, at 53%, representing a slim majority.
• Shift in BC Opinion: This level of support in BC signifies a significant change over the past decade, where opposition to such projects was previously substantial and crossed political divides.
• Political Divide in BC: Current support in BC is stronger among right-leaning individuals, while opposition is more pronounced among those who vote for the Liberal Party federally or the NDP provincially (identified as David Eie's base).
• Regional Opposition in BC: Strong opposition exists on Vancouver Island and the North Coast, areas most vulnerable to potential spills. This indicates that national support does not translate to support in regions most directly affected.

Public Opinion on the Tanker Ban in British Columbia

• Overall Opposition to Lifting Ban: A majority in British Columbia favors leaving the tanker ban in place.
• Limited Support for Lifting: Support for lifting the tanker ban or making an exemption for the pipeline project is not a majority view.
• Regional Support for Lifting: Some support for lifting the ban exists in the BC Interior, which tends to lean more right-leaning politically.
• Percentage Supporting Change: Approximately 40% of British Columbians overall express a willingness to either make an exemption for this specific project or lift the ban entirely.
• Tanker Ban as a Hurdle: The tanker ban is identified as a significant hurdle for Ottawa in terms of public opinion and perception in BC.

Public Opinion on Foreign Investment and Canadian Sovereignty

• Cautionary Stance: Canadians generally adopt a cautious approach regarding foreign investment in critical resources.
• Prioritizing Sovereignty: When presented with a choice between maintaining Canadian sovereignty over critical resources (oil and gas, potash, etc.) even if it means slower investment, or allowing foreign ownership, Canadians strongly favor maintaining sovereignty.
• Concerns about Specific Countries: There is significant concern regarding US investment and Chinese investment in critical Canadian resources.
• Preference for Canadian Investment: The overall sentiment leans towards preferring Canadian dollars for investment in resource development.
• Example of Anglo Merger: The discussion around the Anglo merger (a British company) is mentioned as an example where foreign ownership might be more acceptable to some Canadians compared to investment from other nations.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The Angus Reed Institute's findings reveal a nuanced public opinion landscape regarding the proposed northern pipeline and foreign investment in Canada. While a national majority supports the pipeline, this support is less pronounced in British Columbia, particularly in coastal regions most at risk from potential spills. The tanker ban remains a significant obstacle to public acceptance in BC. Furthermore, Canadians prioritize national sovereignty over critical resources, expressing caution and concern about foreign ownership, especially from the United States and China, and generally prefer domestic investment.