New poll shows British Columbians favourable to idea of pipeline

Premier David Eby’s vehement opposition to the idea of a new oil pipeline across B.C.’s central Interior appears to be out of step with the sentiments of a slim majority of British Columbians, according to recent polling by the Angus Reid Institute.

Polling data, released just as Eby repeated his government’s sentiments Thursday, shows that 53 per cent of residents lean in favour of the idea of building a new oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C.’s north coast, although the backing comes with conditions, according to Angus Reid president Shachi Kurl.

Regardless of support generally, Kurl said polling showed no clear consensus on lifting Canada’s moratorium on oil tanker traffic off B.C.’s North Coast, although 47 per cent would be OK with cutting an exception to the rule, with 21 per cent in