Poll Shows 75% of Canadians Support New Oil and Gas Pipelines to East Coast and B.C.

A new MEI–Ipsos poll shows 75% of Canadians support building new oil and gas pipelines to Eastern Canada and British Columbia, while 71% say project approval processes are too slow, highlighting growing public backing for energy infrastructure development.

A strong majority of Canadians support the construction of new oil and gas pipelines to coastal export markets, according to a new poll released by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) and Ipsos.

The survey found that 75% of Canadians favor building new pipelines to ports in Eastern Canada or British Columbia, a 14-percentage-point increase from last year. Support was strongest among respondents who said pipeline infrastructure is critical to energy security, export diversification, and economic growth.

The poll also highlighted widespread frustration with Canada’s regulatory framework. Seventy-one percent of respondents said approval processes for major energy projects take too long, reinforcing industry concerns that permitting timelines are undermining infrastructure investment and market access.

In Quebec, where pipeline opposition has historically been viewed as a barrier, 67% of respondents supported the Marinvest Energy natural gas pipeline and LNG project, citing its potential role in reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. More than half of Quebec respondents also expressed support for developing the province’s domestic oil resources.

MEI analysts said the findings suggest growing public acceptance of energy infrastructure amid trade pressures and global supply disruptions. The results also come as federal and provincial governments pursue legislative efforts aimed at accelerating project approvals, including Canada’s Bill C-5 and Quebec’s Bill 5.

The survey polled 1,159 Canadians between Nov. 27 and Dec. 2, 2025, with a margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points.