Poll shows regional, political divide on carbon tax

While opposition remains strong in the Prairies, a new poll by Mainstreet Research shows more Canadians support the carbon tax than oppose it.

Mainstreet Analytics surveyed a sample of 7,961 people across 10 provinces in the first week of November.

The poll found 49.8 per cent of people responding approved of the Liberal’s carbon tax while 40.1 per cent opposed it and about 10 per cent were not sure.

The results show a regional and partisan divide in opinion on the carbon tax, with stronger opposition in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Opposition among Conservative Party supporters was at 73.8 per cent.

People living in Quebec and B.C. were more likely to approve of the carbon tax.

On the Prairies, 56. 5 per cent of poll respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan said they disapproved of the carbon tax, along with 65 per cent in Alberta. In contrast, Quebec polls showed 58.6 per cent support the tax while the poll found 52 per cent support in B.C.

The poll also asked people what they thought about climate change. About three-quarters of people who responded said they agreed scientific evidence shows climate change is real and caused by human activity.

Skepticism about man-made climate change was highest in Alberta at 40.2 per cent, followed by the Prairies at 26.9 per cent.

When asked if it is important for the government to solve climate change even if the economy suffers, 59 per cent of people responding agreed. Concern for the economic impact was once again highest in Alberta where 61.5 per cent disagreed that solving climate change was more important than the economy and on the Prairies where 48.4 per cent were more concerned about the economic impact.

The vast majority, 81.6 per cent of Canadians who responded to the poll, agreed private companies should pay if they want to pollute the environment.

The survey was conducted using automated telephone interviews and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.09 per cent.