Canadians have diverse views on electrifying more of their energy needs; those electrifying or planning to electrify on the decline since 2023

The research gauged the opinions among Canadians on climate ambition, alignment of climate policies with views of Canadians and Indigenous partnerships. It also delved into views on energy affordability and Canadians’ intentions to electrify more of their energy needs.

1. Views on timing to address climate change: Consistent with recent waves, the majority of Canadians (51%) believe it is the best time (score of 7-10 out of 10) for Canada to be ambitious in addressing climate change while less than one in three (31%) believe it is the worst time (score of 0-3 out of 10). Liberal Party voters are far more likely to believe it is the best time to be ambitious in addressing climate change (mean of 7.5 out of 10) compared to Conservative Party voters. 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 (86%); while those who had middle range scores (score of 4- 6 out of 10) and those who believe it is the worst time (score 0-3 out of 10) most often said so because of the current financial situation, inflation and upcoming recession (24%; 21% respectively).
2. Job done by Canada having policies on climate change that align with Canadian views: Canadians are more likely to say Canada currently does a poor/very poor job (42%) at having environmental policies on climate change that align with the views of its citizens rather than a very good/good job (16%). About one in three Canadians (36%) believe they are doing an average job, which is a decrease compared to the previous wave in 2023 (42%). When asked the reason for their views, those who believe Canada currently does a poor/very poor job most often said because we are not doing enough/all talk no action/targets are not being met (21%), followed by the carbon tax is wrong/has no impact/only adds additional costs to the average Canadian (21%); those who believe Canada does a good/very good job most often said because Canada is making progress/is ahead of other countries/policies are somewhat aligned with carbon reduction targets (59%).
3. Job done by governments in Canada ensuring energy is affordable while working to meet climate change targets: Canadians are over five times more likely to say governments in Canada do a very poor/poor job (52%) of ensuring energy is affordable as Canada works to meet its climate change targets rather than a very good/good job (10%). Over one in four Canadians say governments do an average job (29%) at this, which is a decrease compared to the previous wave (34% in 2023). There has been an increase in the proportion who say governments do a very poor job (30%; compared to 24% in May 2023), back to November 2022 levels (30%). When asked the reason for their views, those who believe governments currently do a poor/very poor job most often said because energy/green alternatives/gas prices are high (62%), while those who believe governments do a good/very good job most often said because energy costs are reasonable/more affordable than other countries/should be higher to push people to green alternatives(53%).
4. Views on Canada's performance on building constructive partnerships with Indigenous People for energy projects: About three in ten Canadians say Canada is currently doing a poor/very poor job (17% poor; 10 very poor) at building constructive partnerships with Indigenous peoples for energy projects, while close to one in five say the country is doing a good/very good job (3% very good; 16% good). There has been a significant decrease in the proportion who say Canada does a poor job (17%) compared to the previous wave in 2021 (30%), while an increase can be observed among those who say they are unsure (16% compared to 3% in 2021). When asked the reason for their views, those who say Canada is currently doing a poor/very poor job most often said because the Canadian government has not respected Indigenous people/treats them badly (42%); while those who believe the country is doing a good/very good job most often said because efforts are/seem to be made to partner (96%).
5. Interest and action taken in transitioning to electricity: When asked to think of their energy needs and the actions they are taking to transition more of the energy they use to electricity and away from things like gasoline, most Canadians say they are not interested in transitioning (32% compared to 26% in 2023), closely followed by those who say they are interested in transitioning and have taken steps to do so (30% compared to 25% in 2023). With a sharp decline compared to the previous wave, a similar proportion of respondents say they are interested in transitioning but have not started yet (29% compared to 41% in 2023). Ten per cent say they are interested in transitioning and have done all that they plan to do (compared to 8% in 2023). Right leaning Canadians are less likely to be interested in transitioning with a majority saying they are not interested in transitioning (59%) and less than one in five (19%) saying they are interested in transitioning and have taken steps to do so.
6. Top trusted groups to advance a responsible dialogue about the economy, energy and the environment: Over a quarter of Canadians are unsure (26%) who to trust when asked about the top trusted groups to advance a responsible dialogue about the economy, the energy sector and the environment; an increase compared to the previous waves (20% in 2022; 12% in 2015). While the top trusted groups to advance a responsible dialogue about the economy, the energy sector and the environment remain universities (20%; 23% in 2022; 33% in 2015), followed by the federal government (16%; 18% in 2022; 23% in 2015) and environmental groups (16%; 17% in 2022; 17% in 2015), there is a decrease in trust compared to previous waves denoting less unanimity among Canadians.
7. Canadians concerned about energy prices over next six months: Consistent with the previous waves, about seven in ten Canadians are concerned (score of 7-10 out of 10) (66%; 66% in 2023; 68% in 2022) about energy prices they will pay for things like heating and transportation over the next six months. When asked why they had that opinion, those who said they were concerned most often said because of high costs and prices are increasing (32%), followed by the carbon tax and high taxes (13%); while those who were mildly concerned (score of 4-6 out of 10) and not concerned (score of 0-3 out of 10) most often said because they can afford it and it’s not expensive (30%; 37% respectively), followed by limiting their use of energy/fossil fuel (19% and 24% respectively).