Canada’s and Quebec’s Energy Projects – 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 1 – MEI-IPSOS poll: A majority of Quebecers support the construction of new dams and wind turbines
Montreal, November 9, 2023 – Seven in ten Quebecers are in favour of building new hydroelectric dams to cope with the disappearance of Hydro-Québec’s energy surpluses, according to a Montreal Economic Institute-IPSOS poll released this morning.
“Quebecers are well aware that the golden age of Hydro-Québec surpluses is coming to an end,” explains Gabriel Giguère, public policy analyst at the MEI. “It’s no surprise that people are supportive of new dams to prevent Hydro-Québec from becoming a drag on the province’s development.”
Fewer than two in ten Quebecers would oppose these construction projects, revealed the survey. The highest levels of support, at 74 per cent, were found in the age cohort from 18 to 34.
The development of wind farms is also popular, garnering the approval of eight in ten Quebecers.
The possibilities for nuclear power are still a subject for debate in Quebec, with 40 per cent of Quebecers in favour and 44 per cent opposed.
“It would seem that Hydro-Québec did a good job taking the pulse of Quebecers when it unveiled its Action Plan 2035 last week,” adds Giguère. “The public recognizes the need for new energy supply, and it appears that the nuclear debate is still alive and well in the province.”
Other highlights include:
- Two in three Quebecers support new pricing mechanisms to encourage energy conservation.
- Only one in three Quebecers opposes revival of the LNG-Quebec project to supply Europe with a replacement for Russian natural gas.
- Six in 10 Canadians acknowledge that carbon capture and sequestration can make a significant difference in the fight against climate change.
- Six in 10 Quebecers support the creation of energy corridors to facilitate development of energy transport infrastructures such as transmission lines and pipelines.
The poll was conducted among a representative sample of 1,161 Canadians, with an oversample of 403 Quebecers, aged 18 years and over between October 18th and 20th, 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:
Célia Pinto Moreira
Communications Advisor
Cell: 514 703-0502
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Media release 2 – MEI-Ipsos Poll: Majority of Canadians support carbon capture, energy corridor projects
Montreal, November 9, 2023 – Two in three Canadians support the establishment of “energy corridors,” according to a recent Montreal Economic Institute-Ipsos poll released earlier today.
“People all across the country understand that a prosperous Canada involves our ability to trade and access energy resources nationwide,” said Renaud Brossard, senior director of communications at the MEI. “Whether it is to transport electricity, oil, or natural gas, Canadians support the idea of having established rights-of-way to streamline the process.”
The concept of “energy corridors” refers to a right-of-way for interprovincial energy transportation projects such as pipelines and power lines.
Alberta and the Prairie provinces had the highest level of support for energy corridors, at 73 and 71 per cent respectively. In all regions of the country, support was above 60 per cent.
The survey also found broad support for carbon capture and underground storage among Canadians.
“Canadians rightly recognize that taking CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it deep underground can be a tremendously useful tool for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brossard. “And while these technologies are relatively new, as people discover what they can achieve, they understand just how important such innovations can be.”
Once the technology is explained to them, six in 10 Canadians agree that carbon capture and underground storage can make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change. Support is highest in the Prairie provinces, at 67 per cent.
There is work to be done in educating the public about such technologies, as one in two Canadians say they are unfamiliar with them.
Other findings from the survey include:
- More than half of Quebecers support restarting the GNL Québec liquid natural gas export pipeline project, with only three in ten opposed.
- Over seven in 10 Quebecers support building more dams and wind farms to address the looming electricity shortage.
- Quebecers are split on restarting or building new nuclear facilities to address the province’s expected electricity shortage.
The poll was conducted among a representative sample of 1,161 Canadians aged 18 years and over, between October 18 and 21, 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.
– 30 –
Interview requests
Célia Pinto Moreira
Communications Advisor
Cell: 514 703-0502