Divided by pipeline

Photo: File photo

The TransMountain Pipeline continues to be a source of debate.

The TransMountain Pipeline has been a divisive – and much debated – issue in B.C. and the rest of Canada, and the feds stepping in to purchase the pipeline did not help to quell those debates.

In fact, those in favour of the move and those opposing it are in a dead heat.

According to new public opinion polling from the Angus Reid Institute 37 per cent of people approve of the Liberal's actions, while 37 per cent don't.

A significant portion of the population, 26 per cent, are unsure.

Two-thirds of those who say the government made the right decision in buying the pipeline said they believe the project will be a good investment for Canadian taxpayers. Opponents, on the other hand, say that the government has set a bad precedent for future resource projects by taking control of this one.

More key findings:

British Columbia residents mirror the national average on opinions of the government’s decision to buy TransMountain – 38 per cent say it was right and 38 per cent say it was wrong. Half of Alberta residents - 51 per cent - say the Liberals got it right while 28 per cent disagree.

Overall support for the project is in line with previous Angus Reid Institute tracking. Roughly six-in-ten – 57 per cent - support TransMountain, up marginally from 55 per cent in April.

Canadians are split close to evenly when asked if the government has done a good job on this file. Four-in-ten say they have – 39 per cent - slightly more say they have done a poor job – 42 per cent. Men are much more positive than women.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Natural Resource Minister Jim Carr announced on May 29 the feds were purchasing the line for a whopping $4.5 billion.

The announcement set off a maelstrom of debate that will likely continue for some time to come.