IIn September, Prime Minister Mark Carney The liberal government is represented initial list “Large projects” that need to be considered and, possibly, accelerate. This flagship obligation of the federal campaign of last spring was aimed at stimulating the Canadian economy, and to the response to tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump for Canadian export.
The new survey of the Angus Read Institute showed how Canadians perceived this list. Obviously, only a few voters had the opportunity to study these proposals at such an early stage of the process, so this exercise serves as the first impression of the pre -election promise of Carney – the standard of public opinion, which will serve as a guideline as these plans move.
Angus Reed questionnaire I presented to the respondents five projects:
- Phase 2 Terminal LNG Canada in Kitimat, British Colombia
- The nuclear power plant Darlington-Bowmenville in Ontario.
- Contrecoeur container terminal project in Quebec
- The project for the mining of copper foran in the Gulf of Makilvenna, Saskachevan.
- The expansion of the copper mine is Red Chris in British Colombia.
At the national level, 44 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the initial list, compared with 32 percent that were not satisfied. Almost a quarter – 24 percent – did not determine. Although the numbers do not cause any large euphoria, they indicate a respectable starting point for the federal government, which makes a large bet on the success of these projects.
It is noteworthy that the highest level of satisfaction is observed in provinces that are crucial for the victory of liberals last spring: Atlantic provinces (54 percent), British Colombia (46 percent) and Quebec (45 percent). Support is more sluggish in Manitoba (38 percent) and Alberte (39 percent). But the gap between the shares of satisfied and unsatisfied remains statistically small, so Karni is currently supported by careful optimism throughout the country.
Such a mood emphasizes the larger task facing us. Because Karni actually checks not only our faith in the infrastructure, but also the belief that in a fragmented nation collective ambitions still matter.
Bconfused by political affiliation, The results show much less polarization than usual. Four out of ten voters of Quebec Bloc (39 percent) and the new Democratic Party (38 percent) welcome the initial choice of the government. Carni can even count on the support of a part of the conservative electorate, where almost three out of ten voters (28 percent) say they are satisfied.
As for the liberals, most respondents are satisfied, but they are not unanimous: 66 percent of voters of liberals approve the initial list of the government. Thus, we are not in the ratio of 90-10, which we are so often encountered in the framework of the party line.
There was no unnoticed that the first tranche of large projects does not include any investments in the Alberta oil sector. However, the recent discussions between Carni and the Prime Minister of Alberta Daniel Smith seemed to reassure the discontent of the provincial conservatives by the federal government. Soon after the meeting of Smith and Carni, at the beginning of this month, the prime minister wrote on social networks: “I am more optimistic than ever, with the regard that the fears of the inhabitants of Alberta are finally obeying.”
These new numbers of Angus Reed will undoubtedly strengthen Smith's optimism, since most Canadians, 57 percent, want the Karni government to accelerate the development of gas and oil projects, compared with 31 percent that oppose this.
It is not surprising that support is the highest in oil producing provinces, namely in Albert (71 percent) and Saskachevan (70 percent).
And in Quebec, where they often say that projects on fossil fuel are not used by public recognition? The numbers show that opinions are much more versatile. In the sample of Quebec, which participated in the survey, 44 percent agree with the statement that Karni should add investments to oil and gas to future lists of large national projects, compared with 38 percent that oppose this.
A few recent surveys show that Quebec voters are more open to the development of fossil fuel than the provinces' policy in recent years. A survey conducted The study of Nanos Research published this summer They found that 65 percent of the residents of Quebec agreed with the statement: “Canada should expand the export of oil and gas to help the world have safer and more reliable energy supply.”
NNevertheless, if the cornie moves forward In the case of large projects for the extraction of fossil fuel, his aura banker with ecological consciousness may suffer seriously. The Angus Read survey showed that a third of the Canadians believe that the Government of Carni abandoned Canada's obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In Quebec, this share increases to 45 percent, which is the highest rate in the country.
The press release of the federal government is recognized as many representatives of the business community have been talking about for many years: “Investors, provinces and territories, as well as the business community, said that it is too difficult to build economically feasible projects in Canada.” The list is conceived as a demonstration of the intentions of the government, striving to prove that it can achieve great success.
At the moment, Karni has a real level of early support. But the transformation of these plans into reality will require time, billions of dollars and delicate negotiations with provinces and indigenous peoples. Where there are ambitions, there is a risk – both economic and political.
A full report on the Angus Reed survey is available Here.
