RoydadNaft –  A new Ipsos poll shows strong majority support among Canadians for expanding oil and gas development, including building new pipelines, as the country grapples with U.S. tariffs and a trade war. However, when it comes to priorities, most Canadians favour boosting capacity on existing infrastructure before constructing entirely new projects.

The survey, conducted for Global News between December 8 and 15, 2025, found that 83 per cent of respondents at least somewhat agree that Canada should ramp up oil and gas exports to countries beyond the U.S. due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with 34 per cent strongly agreeing.

On specific infrastructure, 68 per cent support building a new oil pipeline to British Columbia’s northern coast, but support rises to 72 per cent for first expanding the capacity of current pipelines. The poll highlights how economic pressures from the trade dispute are shaping attitudes.

“This is the most favourable public opinion environment I can remember when it comes to building infrastructure around oil and gas,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.

The findings come amid ongoing efforts by Prime Minister Mark Carney to accelerate major projects, including a recent memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to advance an oil pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast.

While economic concerns dominate, environmental worries persist: 59 per cent expressed at least some concern about rising greenhouse gas emissions from expanded projects, with Quebec (70 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (67 per cent) showing the highest levels of concern, compared to just 43 per cent in Alberta.

Regional differences also emerged on pipeline priorities. Support for a new northern B.C. pipeline was strongest in Alberta (82 per cent), followed by Atlantic Canada (74 per cent), while Quebec (53 per cent) and Ontario (66 per cent) showed the lowest backing. In most provinces, upgrading existing infrastructure was the preferred first step.

The poll surveyed 1,502 Canadian adults online and is accurate to within ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.