NATIONAL PULSE – Energy priorities shift from environment to economy

Posted on February 13, 2025 in Feedback, National Pulse // 0 Comments

Percentage of Canadians who believe energy policy should prioritize economic growth doubles from 2023

By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE

February 13, 2025 – The return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Oval Office, and his threat of widespread tariffs, has seismically shifted the economic landscape. It has also threatened to upend energy development in both the long- and short-term.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that Canadians’ own priorities when it comes to energy policy may be shifting alongside these seismic waves. Compared to 18 months ago, Canadians are nearly twice as likely to emphasize economic growth as a key factor to deciding energy policy. In August 2023, one-quarter (23%) said this, while more than two-in-five (43%) say this now.

There has been a corresponding decline in importance of environmental concerns in energy policy, which had been the top choice (44%) for Canadians in 2023, and now (31%) falls behind decreasing reliance on international sources of energy (46%), economic growth (43%), investing in alternatives (38%) and bringing down the price of gas (34%).

While the balance between economic development and environmental protection appears to have shifted, renewable energy sources are still much more popular across political and regional divides than hydrocarbons.

The further development of hydroelectric sources receives the highest support from Canadians (88%), followed by solar (77%), wind (72%) and nuclear power (63%). Natural gas (61%) and crude oil (51%) receive less, but still majority support.

A majority in every region give a thumbs-up to further expansion of the three renewables (solar, wind, hydro). Nuclear is supported by a majority in all regions except Quebec, where fewer than two-in-five (36%) believe further nuclear power should be developed.

More Key Findings:

The Angus Reid Institute’s Energy Perspectives Index finds 18 per cent of Canadians prefer to focus on hydrocarbon sources, while 33 per cent lean that way. There are 19 per cent who would prefer the focus is entirely on renewable energy, while 30 per cent lean that way.