Poll shows rising support for fossil fuels as Canadians prioritize growth over green

It's being billed as a 'seismic shift' in attitudes toward energy policy. 

That's because economic growth is now nearly twice as important to Canadians as it was 18 months ago according to new polling from the Angus Reid Institute.

In August 2023, only 23% of Canadians said economic growth should be the priority in energy policy. Today, that number has surged to 43%, placing it ahead of environmental concerns, which have dropped from 44% to just 31%. 

The top concern for Canadians is now decreasing reliance on international energy sources (46%), reflecting a push for domestic energy security amid global economic uncertainty, according to Angus Reid.

The shift comes as US president Donald Trump’s return to office brings new economic pressures, including the threat of tariffs that could impact Canada’s energy sector. Rising energy prices and inflationary concerns have also fuelled growing support for policies that emphasize affordability and job creation over emissions reductions, it added.

While renewable energy continues to enjoy broad support, fossil fuels are seeing a resurgence in public backing. Natural gas (61%) and crude oil (51%) now have majority support, despite historically lagging behind renewables.

Hydroelectric power remains the most popular energy source, with 88% of Canadians supporting further development, followed by solar (77%), wind (72%), and nuclear power (63%). Nuclear energy has seen a significant jump in approval, rising 12 points since 2021, and doubling in support compared to levels seen in the 1980s and 1990s.

Wind and solar, while still widely backed, have seen modest declines in support since 2021, dropping five and seven points, respectively.

The data suggests that Canadians increasingly “see energy policy as a tool for job creation and economic stability, rather than primarily for emissions reduction.”

Ironically, the shift mirrors trends south of the border, where Trump’s policies have encouraged greater reliance on domestic fossil fuels and a rollback of climate regulations. 

As energy costs continue to impact Canadian households, the battle over energy policy is likely to play a key role in upcoming political debates — including the Liberal leadership on March 9 — especially as leaders weigh issues like affordability, inflation and the role of carbon taxes against long-term climate commitments.

The findings dovetail with a similar Angus Reid survey this week that found clear majorities now support both the shelved Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines to increase Canadian energy independence — particularly away from the US.

“Conversations about trade wars with Canada’s historically most trusted ally have forced Canadians to take a long, hard look at the domestic capacity of their economy, from agriculture, to manufacturing, to oil and gas,” it said.

“The threat of tariffs from Trump has no doubt altered the economic calculus in Canada. The free and close trading relationship between Canada and the United States, and the economic benefits it provided, can no longer be guaranteed.”