Canada’s and Quebec’s Energy Needs – Ipsos poll commissioned by the MEI
The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) commissioned Ipsos to poll Canadians on their opinions regarding various issues related to energy.
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Media release – Poll: Six in 10 Quebecers in favour of developing new pipelines
- Six in 10 Quebecers believe that independent producers should be allowed to sell electricity directly to companies.
Montreal, August 21, 2023 – A strong majority of Quebecers are in favour of developing new pipelines for oil and gas to supply Europe and Asia, according to a new MEI-Ipsos poll released this morning.
“Quebecers recognize that each cubic metre of gas we export to Europe is a cubic metre of gas less that Russia exports,” explains Renaud Brossard, senior director of communications at the MEI. “The population is much more open to developing our energy resources than are its representatives at the National Assembly.”
Across the country, two in three respondents (67 per cent) are favourable to the development of oil and gas pipelines to ports in Eastern and Western Canada in order to export to Europe and Asia. In Quebec, the proportion is 61 per cent.
Six in ten Canadians say they are in favour of developing and exporting natural gas to Europe in order to reduce its dependency on Russian gas. Two in three Quebecers are in favour of doing so.
In the context of the announced end of Hydro-Québec’s surpluses, 62 per cent of Quebec respondents support the idea of allowing independent electricity producers to sell their energy directly to companies.
“Quebecers understand that the end of Hydro-Québec’s surpluses is becoming a drag on the development of the province and its regions,” explains Mr. Brossard. “By letting independent producers meet excess demand, we’ll be able to avoid losing job-creating projects due to a lack of energy.”
Other highlights:
- 51 per cent of Quebecers are in favour of developing the province’s oil resources to meet its internal demand.
- Six in 10 Canadians are in favour of increasing incentive measures for carbon sequestration.
- Six in 10 Canadians can’t or don’t want to pay more in taxes to fight climate change.
The poll was conducted among a representative sample of 1,163 Canadians aged 18 years and over, between August 1st and 4th, 2023. The results are accurate to within plus or minus 3.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policy-makers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship.
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Interview requests
Renaud Brossard
Senior Director, Communications
Cell: 514 743-2883