By the latest Nanos poll, more than four in five Canadians still see oil and gas as essential to our economy. That’s no surprise. Oil and gas have powered our prosperity for decades and remain a cornerstone of Canada’s economic engine. But what should give us pause is the slow drift downward in public confidence both in the sector’s future and in Ottawa’s ability to lead.
Support for oil and gas as a key part of Canada’s current economy dropped slightly, from 88 percent in February to 84 percent in August. Confidence in its future role also slipped, from 70 to 67 percent. These aren’t dramatic collapses, but they hint at a growing uncertainty about where our energy policy is headed.
Ironically, Canadians are at the same time more enthusiastic than ever about exporting oil and gas to bolster global energy security. More than 70 percent now agree that Canada should expand exports to help ensure stable, reliable energy worldwide a record high since Nanos began tracking the issue. In an age of geopolitical shocks and energy crises, Canadians clearly understand that our resources matter far beyond our borders.
Many even accept that Canadian exports could help mitigate climate change if they displace dirtier energy sources elsewhere. That’s a pragmatic stance that recognizes a complicated truth: not all hydrocarbons are created equal, and responsible Canadian production can be part of the global transition.
Yet this nuanced public opinion is met with a muddled government response. Half of Canadians say Ottawa is doing a poor or very poor job of building confidence in its energy decision-making. Fewer than one percent think it’s doing a “very good” job. That’s a staggering indictment of federal leadership.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s insistence on “consensus” for major projects sounds collaborative, but it also risks paralysis. Sixty-one percent of Canadians say the federal government should approve national energy projects even when some local communities oppose them, and majorities feel the same even if provinces or First Nations object. That’s not a call to steamroll rights or ignore environmental concerns it’s a plea for decisive, fair leadership that balances local interests with national priorities.
Carney’s new One Economy Act and the creation of a Major Projects Office could be steps in the right direction. But so far, the only oil-and-gas-related project singled out is Phase 2 of LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C. hardly the bold nation-building vision Canadians are waiting for.
Canada stands at an energy crossroads. Our citizens grasp the stakes: global security, climate responsibility, economic stability. What we lack is a federal government willing to articulate a coherent path forward. Canadians don’t just need more polls. We need a plan.
