Survey: Majority of Canadians support Alberta-B.C. pipeline

Key Takeaways:

• Half of Canadians support the proposed Alberta–B.C. bitumen pipeline, with the strongest backing coming from Albertans, men, older Canadians, and Conservative voters.
• Many respondents believe new pipelines are important for Canada’s economic future and feel they can be built responsibly while respecting provincial jurisdiction, environmental protection, consultation, and Indigenous rights.
• Most Canadians support fast-tracking environmental reviews for projects deemed in the national interest, and a strong majority say obtaining Indigenous community support before construction is important.

The Whole Story:

Half of Canadians back the proposed bitumen pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia’s northern coast, according to a Leger survey conducted Dec. 5–7, 2025. Support stands at 50%, with 17% opposed and 20% neutral.

The survey of 1,548 Canadian residents reveals strong backing among key demographics: Albertans (66%), men (58%), Canadians aged 55 and older (56%), and Conservative voters (71%).

The findings come as the federal government’s agreement with Alberta to advance the pipeline project continues to generate political debate and opposition from several Indigenous communities and provincial leaders.

Forty-five per cent of respondents say new pipelines are important to Canada’s economic future, with particularly strong support in Alberta (67%), among men (51%), older Canadians (52%), and Conservative voters (67%).

A majority of Canadians believe pipelines can be developed responsibly while respecting governance and environmental principles. More than half said new pipelines can be built while respecting provincial jurisdiction (56%), protecting the environment (53%), ensuring meaningful consultation with local communities (51%), and respecting Indigenous rights (49%).

The survey also found strong support for fast-tracking environmental reviews under Bill C-5 for projects deemed in the “national interest.” Fifty-five per cent support accelerated environmental assessments, while 26% oppose. Support is especially high in Alberta (68%), among men (66%), and Conservative voters (73%).

Across the country, 68% of respondents said obtaining Indigenous community support before construction begins is important, with 33% calling this support “very important.” Support for this principle is higher in Quebec (76%), among older Canadians (73%), and among Green Party (84%), NDP (81%), and Liberal (80%) voters.

The survey was conducted online among residents aged 18 and older, with results weighted by age, gender, region, language, education, and household composition. A probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±2.49%, 19 times out of 20.