B.C. residents remain divided over pipeline

The recent provincial election and swearing-in of a new government have not moved the needle on the issue of pipeline expansion, a new Insights West poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians, 46 per cent of residents (one per cent more than in an Insights West poll in December) say they oppose the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, while 44 per cent support it (–1).

In the Lower Mainland, support for the project stands at 41 per cent, while opposition is at 48 per cent.

“Strong opposition to the pipeline expansion is higher than strong support by an 11-point margin,” says Mario Canseco, vice president, public affairs, at Insights West. “Women and residents of Vancouver Island continue to be groups more likely to disagree with the continuation of the project.”

A majority expect the proposed project to create new jobs (77 per cent), support economic growth (70 per cent) and lead to increased tax revenue (64 per cent). However, only 42 per cent think the expansion will benefit First Nations communities.

At least seven out of every 10 people are concerned about an increase in oil tanker traffic near Vancouver (79 per cent), the risk of an oil spill (74 per cent) and the impact of pipeline construction on the environment (70 per cent), while three in five are worried about the project’s impact on climate change (60 per cent) and First Nations communities (also 60 per cent).

The new government has hired lawyer Tom Berger to advise it on its plans to oppose the pipeline. Forty-two per cent support this course of action, while 36 per cent are opposed to it.

Results are based on an online study conducted Sept. 1-6, among 817 adult residents. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender. The margin of error is +/– 3.5 per cent 19 times out of 20.