Canada News Brief and Action Alert

Canada: What Recent Climate Polling Tells Us

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

A recent July poll from Leger & National Post (2025) informed our new Liberal government (April 28) that climate change is a priority challenge, ranking it in eighth place.

In recent months, Canadian priorities appear to have changed on climate concerns. A recent July poll from Leger & National Post (2025) let our new Liberal government (April 28) know to boost Canada’s economy and address the cost of living, with climate change dropping as a priority challenge to eighth place (4%).  A trade war and tariff issues stemming from the USA’s aggression take precedence. More pressing issues include housing prices, the economy, healthcare, immigration, and government debt.  A similar Leger poll in 2019 put climate change in third place. This new survey could make it easier to reverse the imposition of climate policies, including an emissions cap on fossil fuel production, electric vehicle mandates, oil tanker bans off the B.C. coast, and resistance to new oil development and pipelines. Our new Prime Minister has already scrapped the consumer portion of Canada’s carbon tax. Our new government passed the One Canadian Economy Act (June 26) to fast-track major infrastructure projects, identifying them as in the “national interest,” thus bypassing normal environmental regulations and approvals. 

Hatch et al. (2025) reviewed 73 public surveys this year. They reported in June that climate issues as a priority appear to be down, but it’s mostly an issue of competing immediate concerns. Over two-thirds of Canadians remain concerned or very concerned, while 7-10 percent view climate change as a serious or very serious threat. However, there is now an increased belief that the oil and gas industry and new infrastructure remain important to Canada’s economy, alongside growing public anxiety due to extreme weather and climate impacts, a decline in public prioritization of climate programs, but continued support for renewables and clean energy.

Should we believe public opinion is temperamental about climate protection? Many want more action (44%) (Abacus Data & Clean Energy Canada, 2025). This is a consistent finding in polls, year over year—the disconnect, or ‘perception gap’, explained by Re. Climate occurs when people don’t realize their pro-climate view is, in fact, the majority view. Bridging this gap needs more conversation. Another issue is the ‘identification gap’, where people feel policies are out of touch with their concerns or problems. Those with anti-climate ideology preferring separatism or the USA’s agenda are slowing progress. This spring, climate change ranking as a top issue declined 6%, from 21% to 15% (Angus Reid Institute, 2025). Almost 9-10 Canadians (88%), an all-time high. Currently, I consider oil and gas industry exports to be crucial for global energy security and reliability. 7-10 Canadians see the industry as important for our future economy, an increase of 11 % points since 2024 and 29 points since 2020 (Nanos & Positive Energy, 2025).

Many are still concerned about climate change. For example, 69% of Canadians are worried about its impact over the next five years (Abacus Data, 2025e). And 76% are concerned about its impact on future generations (Ipsos & Tree Canada, 2024). The decline in understanding that the problem is human-caused may be partly a result of cognitive rationalization following the decrease in its prioritization and the increase in opposition to climate policies, such as the carbon tax. Are Canadians becoming desensitized to the threats of extreme weather events, or is the current focus on the cost of living simply overshadowing environmental concerns (Abacus Data, 2024)? There is a significant divide between those who have voted Conservative in the past and voters for other parties, particularly in terms of ideologies regarding economic development and environmental responsibility, with notable differences between age groups and genders. Women, younger Canadians, and those over 60 are generally more concerned about climate issues. 

More than two-thirds of Canadians (67%) agree that the Canadian government should make climate action and protecting nature a high priority (Leger & David Suzuki Foundation, 2025). Despite finally seeing a reduction in national emissions, Canadians still don’t see enough happening. Key policies with mixed reviews need stronger public awareness, including the oil and gas sector’s emission cap, electric buses, clean electricity regulations, and industrial carbon pricing. 

Canadians overwhelmingly say they want the government to prioritize the development of renewable energy. Hydropower is extremely popular across Canada. A solid majority of all political parties, including over 90% of Liberal and NDP voters, support the expansion of hydro and solar. Wind power is less popular, especially among Conservative voters (Angus Reid Institute, 2025b).  An Equiterré policy survey found that support for public transit electrification, support for farmers, and plastics regulations garnered at least 51% support, with some 81% (Equiterré, 2024).  

To improve Canadian climate change polls, pollsters could consider clearer communication on how climate change impacts our daily lives, stakeholder diversity, the urgency of action, and the reliability of information sources. 

This post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Canada Country Manager Diane Szoller.

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