A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll shows close to a majority of Saskatchewan residents approve the provincial government’s response to the Husky oil spill.
On July 21, Husky’s pipeline leaked near Maidstone, Sask. into the North Saskatchewan River.
READ MORE: Husky Energy pipeline leaks oil into North Saskatchewan River
The pipeline was carrying heavy oil mixed with a lighter petroleum product. The product enables the crude to flow.
Last week, the Saskatchewan government said almost 75 per cent of the estimated 225,000 litres of petroleum that spilled has been recovered.
After the spill, the government was involved in emergency response and making sure affected communities had access to drinking waters.
However, Saskatchewan’s interim leader Trent Wotherspoon criticized Premier Brad Wall for a lack of communication regarding the contaminated water.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan indigenous leaders work to be part of oil spill response
The Mainstreet poll, which was released on Tuesday, shows 47 per cent of Saskatchewan residents surveyed approved of the Saskatchewan Party’s response to the oil spill. Thirty-one per cent disapprove, while another 22 per cent were not sure either way.
The approval was lowest in Regina, with 40 per cent approving and 43 per cent disapproving of the response.
Forty-six per cent approved of the government’s response in Saskatoon while 38 per cent disapproved.
As for age, 30 per cent of people 18 to 34 disapproved of the response while 45 per cent approved. Disapproval numbers dropped the higher the age.
The Mainstreet poll also showed 67 per cent of Saskatchewan residents surveyed approved of the proposed Energy East pipeline.
Between the province’s two largest cities, the number was higher in Saskatoon with 64 per cent of people approving while 59 per cent approved of the pipeline in Regina.
The Mainstreet/Postmedia Poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.38%, 19 times out of 20. 1,690 people were surveyed on a mixture of cell phones and landlines between Aug. 22-23.
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