Most Canadians want environmental rules kept as Ottawa moves to ease them, poll finds

Want rules kept or strengthened

66 %

Two in three Canadians, 66 per cent, say Canada should keep or strengthen its environmental requirements despite the trade war with the United States. In Quebec the share is 70 per cent.

Why it matters

Bill C-39, tabled on Sep 21, would cut the wait for a federal permit to one year and create regions of national interest where some projects could bypass environmental laws. Among Liberal voters, 80 per cent want current requirements kept or strengthened.

Half of respondents, 49 per cent, say fast-track measures should be time-limited, against 29 per cent who want them permanent.

Support for keeping each law

1. 1 Species at Risk Act: 75%
2. 2 Law protecting rivers: 74%
3. 3 Fisheries Act: 73%
4. 4 Environmental Protection Act: 72%
5. 5 Environmental Assessment Act: 68%

The Leger online poll of 1,525 adults, conducted Oct 9 to 12, was commissioned by the environmental group Équiterre. Support for keeping or strengthening laws ranges from 68 to 75 per cent, highest for the Species at Risk Act.