A recent poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute reveals that a slim majority of British Columbians are leaning in favor of building a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the province's north coast, marking a potential shift in public sentiment that appears to contrast with Premier David Eby's strong opposition to such projects.
Polling Data Shows Conditional Support
According to polling data released on November 28, 2025, 53 percent of British Columbia residents expressed support for the concept of constructing a new oil pipeline across the central Interior to the north coast. However, this backing comes with significant conditions, according to Angus Reid president Shachi Kurl.
The survey results emerged just as Premier Eby reiterated his government's opposition to pipeline development on Thursday, suggesting a potential disconnect between the provincial leadership and public opinion on this contentious energy issue.
No Clear Consensus on Tanker Moratorium
Despite the general support for pipeline construction, the polling revealed no definitive consensus regarding Canada's moratorium on oil tanker traffic off British Columbia's North Coast. The data shows that 47 percent of respondents would support creating an exception to the existing moratorium specifically for this project, while only 21 percent favored completely repealing the tanker ban.
Kurl described the current level of support as remarkable given the historical context of pipeline opposition in the province. "The fact that we're living in a moment where half of British Columbians, a slim majority, say 'Yes, I'd be OK with that, I'm open to that, I support the idea of this,' I think it does speak to a remarkable sea change in public opinion in B.C.," Kurl stated.
Significant Shift from Previous Opposition
The current polling numbers represent a substantial change from attitudes measured nearly a decade ago. In 2016, Angus Reid polling indicated that opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion reached as high as 60 percent among British Columbians.
"How vociferous the opposition was (to pipeline proposals) even a decade ago," Kurl noted, emphasizing the significance of the current polling results.
The latest Angus Reid Institute survey was conducted online on November 26-27, gathering opinions from a randomized sample of 1,851 Canadian adults who are members of its Angus Reid Forum. The poll's results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
This week's findings align closely with previous polling conducted by the firm in October, which showed 56 percent support from British Columbians for pipeline development. Kurl characterized the slight difference between the two polls as falling "within the margin of error."
The shifting public opinion comes amid growing concerns about Canada's economic relationship with the United States and broader geopolitical uncertainties. Kurl suggested that "this has been a big head shake, wake-up moment where it has reframed priorities" for many Canadians.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, who was in Vancouver on Friday attempting to address concerns about the recently announced pipeline deal between Ottawa and Alberta, acknowledged that many federal Liberal caucus members had previously opposed pipeline projects. However, he emphasized that "caucus understands we were elected because Canadians recognize we're in a hinge moment" regarding energy and economic policy.
