Energy East pipeline has 64% support among Canadians, poll suggests

A new online poll by the Angus Reid Institute suggests 64 per cent of Canadians support the Energy East pipeline, but there are stark differences when the numbers are broken out by region.

The proposal to ship Alberta crude to Atlantic Canada had the strongest backing in Alberta and Saskatchewan 87 per cent and 78 per cent, respectively.

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Both are oil-producing provinces keen to get their crude to international markets something Energy East would enable with a proposed export terminal in Saint John, N.B.

In Quebec, however, the poll suggests support for Energy East is only at 48 per cent.

Angus Reid also asked respondents whether they support the Montreal-area mayors who raised environmental concerns about Energy East in January.

On that question, too, there were stark regional divides, with 11 per cent of Albertans and 58 per cent of Quebecers surveyed showing support.