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Vancouver Sun

Opinion: The climate conundrum facing political leaders: The public wants to have it both ways

Human-induced climate change continues to worsen, and its impacts have been felt across the country. On the West Coast, the heat dome in the sweltering summer of 2021 caused an estimated 619 deaths. On the East Coast, Hurricane Fiona led to $3 billion in damages. Fires in Fort McMurray and Jasper led to mass evacuations and $5 billion in insured losses. Article content Article content The natural environment looms large in Canadian identity, but we are not a climate leader. According to the 2025 Climate Performance Index, Canada currently ranks 62nd of 67 countries. We are the lowest-ranked of the G7, and one of the lowest of the G20. This mediocre climate performance is a long-term trend through both Conservative and Liberal governments. Article content Article content Despite worsening climate change and lacklustre federal climate action, the issue has been on the back burner in current election debates. This is largely because of cost-of-living concerns, as well as fears of annexation by the U.S. Further, the governing Liberals have scrapped the consumer carbon tax. In the face of threats south of the border there is also renewed political talk about building new oil and gas pipelines. Article content Article content In this tumultuous context we surveyed a demographically representative sample of 3,003 Canadians across the country about their opinion on climate-related issues. The survey was conducted in March 2025 on our behalf by Research Co., a Canadian polling firm. Article content • Most people believe that climate change is real. Only 21.2 per cent of Canadians completely or mostly agreed with the idea that 'human caused climate change is a myth — there is no compelling scientific evidence for it.' Article content • The public was split about whether 'the federal government is wrong to scrap the consumer carbon tax' — 33.8 per cent completely or mostly disagreed with the decision to end the consumer carbon tax, while 31.4 per cent completely or mostly agreed with this decision. Article content Article content • More of the public are skeptical of carbon pricing than believe it is effective: 40.5 per cent completely or mostly agree, while 22.2 per cent completely or mostly disagree with the statement: 'Climate change policy measures like 'gas taxes' and 'cap and trade' are ineffective in reducing GHG emissions.' Article content • Even though people are skeptical of carbon pricing, they are supportive of placing more emphasis on alternative energy: 66 per cent of people completely or mostly agree that 'Canada should place more emphasis on alternative energy sources (such as wind power, solar energy, hydro and biofuels)' while only 11.4 per cent completely or mostly disagree. Article content • On the other hand, a majority of respondents (53.5 per cent) completely or mostly agree that 'Canada can continue to develop the oil sands in Alberta and still meet its climate commitments' compared to a minority who completely or mostly disagree (14.3 per cent). Article content • A substantial portion of the general public — 50.6 per cent — completely or mostly agree that 'in light of current political tensions with the United States, Canada should build new oil and gas pipelines (e.g., resurrecting previously abandoned projects such as the Northern Gateway Pipeline and/or the Energy East Pipeline). Only 15 per cent of the general public completely or mostly disagree.