Support for pipeline construction in Canada has grown significantly over the past year, according to a new MEI‑Ipsos poll released Tuesday morning.
The survey shows three‑quarters of Canadians now support building new pipelines to ports in Eastern Canada or British Columbia to diversify the country’s oil and gas export markets. MEI senior policy analyst Gabriel Giguère says Canadians appear increasingly aware of the industry’s role in the economy. “From coast to coast, Canadians appreciate the importance of the energy industry to our prosperity,” he said.
Overall support for new pipelines is up 14 percentage points from last year, with the “strongly agree” category accounting for most of the increase.
In Quebec, the poll points to shifting attitudes on energy development. Sixty‑seven per cent of Quebec respondents say they support Marinvest Energy’s proposed natural gas pipeline and liquefaction plant on the North Shore, seeing it as a way to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian natural gas. Another 54 per cent say they support developing Quebec’s own oil resources, a six‑point increase from the previous year.
Giguère says the results counter assumptions that Quebecers oppose such projects. “This preconceived notion according to which Quebecers oppose energy development is false,” he said, adding that the growing support should signal to governments that “there is social acceptability, whatever certain lobby groups might think.”
The poll also highlights concerns around the regulatory approval process for major projects. Seventy‑one per cent of Canadians believe environmental assessments and other reviews take too long and need reform. In Quebec, 63 per cent share that view.
Recent federal and provincial legislation — Bill C‑5 in Ottawa and Bill 5 in Quebec — aims to accelerate the approval of selected large‑scale projects. The MEI, however, argues for broader changes. In a July recommendation, the organization called for the assessment process to be “swift by default” rather than relying on workarounds for priority projects.
“Canadians understand that the burdensome assessment process undermines our prosperity and the creation of good, well‑paid jobs,” Giguère said. “While the recent bills to accelerate projects of national interest are a step in the right direction, it would be better simply to reform the assessment process so that it works.”
The MEI‑Ipsos survey polled 1,159 Canadians aged 18 and older between November 27 and December 2, 2025. The results are considered accurate within plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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