The majority of British Columbians likely aren’t pleased with Ottawa’s plans to put tax dollars to work on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, according to a new poll from Research Co.
Survey results released May 31 reveal 76% of B.C. residents are uncomfortable with the idea of the federal government using taxpayer’s money to subsidize a foreign corporation.
The survey was conducted from May 25-28, concluding one day before the federal government announced it’s paying Kinder Morgan Canada (TSX:KML) $4.5 billion for the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline and its related assets.
The results appear to show that British Columbians aren’t keen to the idea of Ottawa stepping in, with 57% of respondents saying they did not back the government’s earlier proposal to indemnify the $7.4-billion project.
It’s decision that may come back to haunt Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at least on the West Coast.
The poll shows that 49% of British Columbians say they’re “less likely” to vote for the federal Liberals in the next election. This figure includes the 36% of residents who voted for the governing party.
“The federal Liberals, who had one of their best performances in the province in 2015, now stand to lose more than a third of their support base,” Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in a statement.