Canadians most likely to rank energy as sector with greatest potential to expand exports to non-US destinations; want to see Canada prioritize energy exports to Europe and Asia

The research gauged the opinions among Canadians on climate ambition, energy affordability and whether the environment or the economy should be prioritized. It also delved into views on confidence and Canada's international positioning for emissions reductions.

The survey also asked Canadians about energy infrastructure investments, which destinations Canada should prioritize for energy exports and their views on which sectors of the economy have the greatest potential to contribute to the country's objective of doubling exports to non-US destinations.

1. Canadians are split about timing for addressing climate change: Nearly two in five Canadians (39%) believe it is the best time (score of 7-10 out of 10) for Canada to be ambitious in addressing climate change even if there are costs to the economy. This is consistent with the latest wave of tracking in May 2025 (37%). Over one in three say it is the worst time (score of 0-3 out of 10) (35%; 36% in May 2025). One in five Canadians also continue to rate this as absolutely the worst time to be ambitious (score of 0 out of 10) (22%; 20% in May 2025). When asked the reason for their views, those who think it is the best time (score 7-10 out of 10) most often said because we need to act now/climate change can’t wait (66%; 67% in May 2025) while those who believe it is the worst time (score 0-3 out of 10) most often said so because there are other priorities/focus should be on health/basic needs (food, heat for winter, etc.) (21%, up from 18% in May 2025).
2. Level of concern over energy prices in the next six months increases: Concern over energy prices in the next six months (51% score of 7-10 out of 10) has increased since the most recent wave in May 2025 (45%). One in four Canadians (24%) rate their level of concern a 10 out of 10. Residents of the Atlantic region are more likely to be concerned (mean of 7.4 out of 10, compared to the national mean of 6.3) than residents of Quebec (mean of 5.9 out of 10), as were those who consider themselves right-leaning (mean of 7.1 out of 10) compared to those who consider themselves left-leaning (mean of 5.4 out of 10). When asked the reason for their views, those who say they are concerned most often said because of high cost/prices are increasing (25%); while those who say they are not concerned most often said I can afford it/not expensive/not concerned (58%).
3. Canadians significantly more likely to prioritize economic growth over the environment: Nearly three in five Canadians think growth and creating jobs should be the top priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent. This is an increase of more than ten percentage points since the previous wave (57%, compared to 44% in November 2024). About one in three respondents say protecting the environment should be given priority, even if it causes slower economic growth and some loss of jobs (35%, compared to 46% in November 2024). Those who usually vote for the Conservative Party of Canada (88%) are over four times more likely to prioritize growth and creating jobs than those who usually vote for the New Democratic Party of Canada (19%), and those who are left-leaning are over six times more likely to prioritize the environment (69%) than those who are right-leaning (10%).
4. Canadians have more confidence in citizens and governments than in corporations to reduce emissions: Over one in four Canadians have high confidence (score of 7 to 10 out of 10) in citizens changing their behaviour (27%; marginally up from 22% in November 2024) and governments creating policies (26%; 24% in November 2024) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, more than half of respondents have low confidence (score of 0 to 3 out of 10) in corporations changing their behaviour to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (55%; marginally up from 50% in November 2024).
5. Decrease in rate of Canadians who think Canada should aim to be ahead of other major economies when it comes to meeting climate targets: Just over one in three Canadians think Canada should aim to be ahead of other major economies when it comes to meeting climate targets (34%; down from 42% in October 2023). Nearly half of respondents said Canada should aim to be at about the same place as other major economies when it comes to meeting climate targets (49%, up from 40% in 2023) and over one in ten said it should aim to be behind other major economies in that matter (16%). Residents of BC are more likely to think Canada should aim to be ahead of other major economies when it comes to meeting climate targets (43%) compared to residents of the Prairies (23%).
6. Majority of Canadians agree government should invest equally in energy infrastructure for consumption in Canada and for exports: When asked which of the paths forward they would prefer in terms of government investment in energy infrastructure, nearly three in five Canadians say it should invest equally in infrastructure for energy consumption in Canada and for energy exports (57%), while two in ten prioritize infrastructure for energy consumption in Canada (21%) and one in ten prioritize infrastructure for energy exports (11%).
7. Canadians say Canada should prioritize Europe and Asia for energy exports, followed by the United States: When asked which energy export destinations Canada should prioritize, one in three say Europe (35%), one in four says Asia (24%) and one in five say the United States (19%). Residents of BC were twice as likely to say Asia (35%) than residents of Quebec (15%), and those who are right-leaning were over five times more likely to say the United States (38%) than those who are left-leaning (7%).
8. One in three Canadians say energy is the economic sector with the greatest potential to double Canada's exports to non-US destinations: When asked to rank which sectors have the most potential of helping achieve the objective of doubling Canada's exports to non-US destinations over the next decade, energy ranked in the first place (37%), followed by minerals and metals (25%) and agriculture and food (19%). Those who are right-leaning were more likely to rank energy first (46%) compared to those who are left-leaning (24%), and so were residents of the Prairies (50%), compared to residents of Quebec (29%).