Canadians want an increase in oil and gas production: Leger poll

A new poll commissioned by SecondStreet.org shows that, in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the vast majority of Canadians (78 per cent) support Canada increasing its oil and natural gas production and exports to reduce the world’s dependence on Russia.

“It’s well known that Vladimir Putin sold billions of dollars in oil and natural gas to countries like Canada, the United States and Europe, then used the money to pay for rockets and tanks to invade Ukraine,” said SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig. “It looks like Canadians overwhelmingly support our country developing and exporting more natural gas and oil so that the world doesn’t have to buy from Russia.”

The poll was conducted by Leger between March 11-13 among 1,515 online participants.

Highlights from the poll include:

• 78% support developing and exporting more oil and natural gas to reduce Russian oil and natural gas sales (53% strongly support, 25% somewhat support, 6% somewhat oppose and 4% strongly oppose).
• 68% support developing and exporting more oil and natural gas, but using the tax revenues to pay for activities to reduce emissions.
• 65% of Quebecers support reversing the province’s ban on natural gas development and exports to reduce European dependence on Russia.

“The Quebec government recently announced a ban on natural gas development and exports,” added Craig. “It looks like the majority of Quebecers support reversing that decision so that Quebec can help reduce Europe’s dependence on Russia for natural gas.”

To view SecondStreet.org’s new policy brief, which includes the poll results – click here