Title: Is BC really Polarized over Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain?
Author: Bruce Anderson and David Coletto
Publisher: Abacus Data
Date: March 17, 2018
Summary:
the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project is one of the most hotly debated issues in Canadian politics in years. It would be easy to surmise that public opinion is deeply divided and firmly entrenched. But the most recent poll of BC adults on this topic tells a somewhat different tale.
The survey was conducted online with 900 BC residents aged 18 and over from February 26 to March 6, 2018. A random sample of panelists was invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. There were 8 different arguments tested that are made by proponents and opponents of the project, and in each case, asked the respondents whether the argument was persuasive or not. This allowed for data to see how polarized the debate had become – or not.
The results paint a picture where many people feel personally conflicted – concerned about spills but also aware of the economic benefits for Canada, worried about the prospect of increasing the use of fossil fuels but also hesitant to see a precedent where one province could stymie the economic opportunity of a neighboring province.
