OTTAWA – A new poll suggests a broad cross-section of Canadians see the oil and gas sector as vitally important to the national economy, an attitude that in turn appears to be driving up support for pipeline construction.
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Almost nine out of 10 respondents to the Harris-Decima poll, 87 per cent, said they believe oil and gas development is economically important, while a clear majority – 53 per cent – ranked the sector as the most important in Canada.
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The telephone poll of just over 1,000 respondents also found a majority of respondents in favour of the proposed west-to-east pipeline from Alberta to Atlantic Canada, as well as the Northern Gateway pipeline to the B.C. coast.
A slim plurality of respondents, meanwhile, said they oppose the Keystone XL pipeline to the southern United States.
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The poll lands amid rancorous debates over the three high-profile pipeline proposals that have generated loud public opposition, including major protests and demonstrations south of the border.
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Against such environmental criticism, the federal Conservative government has budgeted $25 million over the last two years to advertise the importance and environmental responsibility of Canada’s resource sector, and talk of pipeline politics has dominated the governing agenda.
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