Federal Liberals stand to lose B.C. voters over pipeline deal: poll

Survey reveals three-quarters of B.C.’ers don’t want tax dollars tied to pipeline

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's federal Liberals stand to lose votes in B.C. in wake of pipeline deal with Kinder Morgan, according to a new poll from Research Co.

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.

torton@biv.com

@reporton