Canadians Back Pipeline Expansion as US Trade Tensions Rise

Four in five Canadians (79%) support expanding the country’s pipeline network from coast to coast as trade tensions with the United States highlight infrastructure gaps, according to an Angus Reid Institute survey released Wednesday.

The poll found nearly all provinces strongly support ensuring oil and gas pipelines run across the country. Atlantic Canada shows the strongest backing with 79% in favor, while support remains high even in Quebec.

Nearly all Canadian oil and gas exports currently flow to the United States, which receives 97% of Canada’s energy shipments. This dependence has gained attention amid recent US tariff threats.

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The completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in 2024 has begun shifting this dynamic, enabling increased oil shipments to other countries. An Alberta Central report indicates non-US oil exports doubled in late 2024.

However, Canada still heavily relies on US refineries, importing over $15 billion in refined petroleum products in 2022. The country lacks sufficient east-west pipeline infrastructure to transport crude oil domestically without crossing the US border.

Nine in ten Canadians (91%) believe the country should reduce its trade dependence on the United States, according to the survey.

The online survey of 1,811 Canadian adults was conducted February 2-3, with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points.

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