Canadians want urgent climate action, but cost of living stands in the way: poll

The Ipsos survey conducted for Global News found one-third of Canadians agree the cost-of-living crisis and other economic concerns should take priority over climate action.

A growing majority of Canadians say more needs to be done by government and business to combat the climate crisis, a new poll suggests. Many respondents agree this year’s record-breaking wildfire season has driven home the need for urgent action.

However, those Canadians are torn over when action should be taken, according to the Ipsos survey conducted for Global News. One-third of respondents agree the cost-of-living crisis and other economic concerns should take priority.

“There are competing narratives here — yes, there is increased urgency to fight climate change, but there also is increased urgency to battle the affordability crisis that we’re seeing in Canada,” said Sean Simpson, vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs.

“The challenge, at least as perceived by Canadians, is that government doesn’t seem to have a plan to do either.”

Overall, the poll found six in 10 Canadians agree Canada should do more to fight climate change, and that the federal government would be failing the country if it does not act now. A similar number also said Canadian businesses should take urgent climate action or risk failing their employees and customers. More Canadians agree with those sentiments now than they did the last time Ipsos conducted a similar survey in February.

Yet, just 26 per cent of those surveyed said they believe Ottawa has a clear plan in place for government, businesses and individuals to tackle the climate crisis together — a number that is up three points since February.

The federal government’s latest greenhouse gas emissions target is a 40 per cent reduction below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. Last month, draft regulations were released that the government says would achieve a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.

The Alberta government has loudly opposed those targets, arguing they will require costly and burdensome production cuts in the province’s oil and gas sector, and have called for longer timetables to achieve net-zero. Saskatchewan has also voiced objections to Ottawa’s plans.