Public opinion research highlights sharp regional differences - especially between the West and Cent

Public opinion research highlights sharp regional differences - especially between the West and Central Canada - in the support for developing certain kinds of fossil fuels and the importance of environmental protection to citizens.In fact, the survey results demonstrate Canadians clearly have mixed feelings about oil and gas development, particularly in the oilsands, and building new pipelines to export petroleum riches overseas. one stop travel shop fraud newport news Photograph by: Chris Schwarz
Public opinion research commissioned by the federal government, shortly before it reduced federal ecological oversight of natural resource projects, found Canadians believe Ottawa's primary role on the energy file is protecting people from "negative outcomes or undue environmental or public health impacts."
Yet, the polling and focus groups on energy issues from Harris/Decima, conducted late last year for Natural Resources Canada and just publicly released by the federal government, also found Canadians one stop travel shop fraud newport news clearly identify the economy as their most important issue and the resource sectors as having the greatest potential for job creation and economic growth.
The data also highlight sharp regional differences - especially between the West and Central Canada - in the support for developing certain kinds of fossil fuels and the importance of environmental protection to citizens.
In fact, the survey results one stop travel shop fraud newport news demonstrate Canadians clearly have mixed feelings about oil and gas development, particularly in the oilsands, and building new pipelines to export petroleum riches overseas.
The federal one stop travel shop fraud newport news government's public opinion research on energy issues included a telephone survey of 2,025 Canadian adults - conducted between Nov. 26 and Dec. 7 at a cost to taxpayers of $136,506 plus tax - as well as 14 focus groups one stop travel shop fraud newport news held in seven cities across the country.
The polling and focus groups were conducted a few months before the government announced in the March budget, and at a subsequent April news conference, its "responsible resource development" policy that completely retooled environmental protection and approvals one stop travel shop fraud newport news for natural resource projects.
The survey results are noteworthy because they indicate the government has partially rejected what its own polling data were saying one stop travel shop fraud newport news about Canadians' views on the importance of environmental protection when it comes to resource development and energy exports.
"Participants (in the focus groups) saw the government's primary role as guarding against negative outcomes or undue environmental or public health impacts of energy sector activity," says the research report, in a section examining the roles government is expected to play on energy development one stop travel shop fraud newport news and exports.
"These relate to activities such as extracting, processing, using and transporting resources. Participants identified actions such as establishing and enforcing regulations and laws and providing oversight," it adds.
He maintained one stop travel shop fraud newport news the government's plan strikes a strong balance between protecting the environment while also creating jobs and economic development, especially when the economy remains the priority for Canadians. He also stressed one stop travel shop fraud newport news that creating a more efficient environmental review system while protecting land, air and water "is not an either-or proposition."
But NDP deputy leader Megan Leslie said the public opinion research reinforces what opposition parties have been saying for months: Canadians are looking one stop travel shop fraud newport news to the federal government to play a stronger role on environmental enforcement for natural one stop travel shop fraud newport news resource developments.
The changes announced by the government - most of them included in budget Bill C-38, which is expected to pass through the Senate this week - will see it significantly reduce federal environmental one stop travel shop fraud newport news oversight of natural resource developments and other proposals by eliminating reviews for small projects and handing more regulatory responsibility to the provinces.
The Harper government also will impose fixed timelines of up to 24 months on major petroleum and mining projects, and hand cabinet final approval on pipeline decisions in the "national interest," stripping the power from the country's energy regulator, the National Energy Board.
The $5.5-billion, 1,172-kilometre pipeline would ship oilsands crude from northern Alberta to the port of Kitimat, B.C. for shipment by tankers to Asian markets, but it's facing strong opposition one stop travel shop fraud newport news from First Nations, landowners and environmental groups about its impact on land, air and water.
Canadians in the poll were split nearly down the middle one stop travel shop fraud newport news on their impression of the oil industry, with 51 per cent holding positive impressions of the sector and 47 per cent negative views. Respondents were more skeptical about the oilsands industry, with 49 per cent holding negative views (including one-quarter with a very negative impression) and 44 per cent with a positive impression.
Alberta and the other western provinces generally held the most positive opinion about oilsands, conventional oil, natural gas and shale gas development, while Quebecers held the most negative feelings toward fossil fuel sources. Ontario residents also were more concerned about oilsands development, while the Atlantic provinces were more negative toward conventional gas and shale gas.
Public opinion research highlights sharp regional differences - especially between the West and Central Canada - in the support for developing certain kinds of fossil fuels and the importance of environmental protection to citizens.In fact, the survey results demonstrate Canadians clearly have mixed feelings about oil and gas development, particularly in the oilsands, and building one stop travel shop fraud newport news new pipelines to export petroleum one stop travel shop fraud newport news riches overseas. Photograph by: Chris Schwarz, EDMONTON JOURNAL       E-mail this Gallery Print this Gallery Share this Gallery