A nation as socially responsible, environmentally conscientious and technically innovative as Canada, one that values its workers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and the prosperity of its families, should play a much stronger role in the global energy market.
That’s what our latest polling research suggests – and it boils down to this: the world wants our product, and Canadians want to make that product more widely available.
The latest results show more than two-thirds of Canadians polled (68 per cent) think Canada should make a greater effort to export our energy, given the high standards associated with our product, the growing interest in secure sources of supply and the fact that demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is projected to grow 76 per cent by 2040.
Our fifth in a series of online polls conducted by Research Co, the results were gathered across Canada March 17 to 19 among 1,000 individuals with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Among key findings, more than three in four Canadians (77 per cent) agree Canada can play a key role in enhancing energy security worldwide, and 80 per cent or more agreed with a number of important energy security concepts. For example:
- Eighty-one per cent agreed countries ought to source the food, energy and minerals they need from responsible, democratically aligned jurisdictions.
- Eighty per cent also felt we should strike a balance between investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar, and continuing to develop Canada’s oil and natural gas resources.
- That same number felt Canadians should have access to Canadian oil as we gradually eliminate dependence on imports from countries such as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members.
- And more than four in five Canadians (81 per cent) said they’d rather use energy from Canada for their daily needs than rely on energy imports from other countries.
The poll also shows that while three in five Canadians (59 per cent) are aware of the high global demand for energy, less than two in five (39 per cent) know that Canada is the fourth largest producer of oil worldwide, the sixth largest producer of natural gas worldwide, the ninth largest wind power producer in the world and the third largest hydroelectric producer.
There’s a real need for increased education on Canada’s important place in the energy world, including our strong record on emissions reductions and other environmental innovations, and our contributions to energy security, Indigenous Reconciliation, and local and regional prosperity.
Canadians want to play a role in energy security – both for Canada and for other countries in the global market. The sooner we meet that challenge, the better off the country – and the planet – will be.
Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder / spokesperson for CanadaAction.ca, a volunteer-initiated group that supports the Canadian natural resources sector and the environmental, social and economic benefits that come with it.
