Canadians expect global energy leadership from Canada

    
    Study shows Canadians highly interested in - but disconnected from -
    energy issues
    

CALGARY , Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Canadians are saying loud and clear that this country has a role to play in global energy, a survey released today shows. A large majority of respondents believe that energy, from crude oil and natural gas to wind, is vitally important to the nation and that Canada should step up as a global energy leader. Yet, the survey also indicated that Canadians feel cut off from the energy policies that affect them.

    
    -   82 per cent feel it is important for Canada to be a global energy
        leader
    -   69 per cent believe Canada already is a global energy leader
    -   92 per cent feel the energy sector is important to the Canadian
        economy
    -   58 per cent believe they are not able to influence energy policies
        and decisions
    

The survey was commissioned by the non-profit and non-partisan Canadian Centre for Energy Information (Centre for Energy) and conducted by Angus Reid Strategies. The complete survey report can be found at www.centreforenergy.com. It is part of the Centre for Energy's commitment to encourage greater fact-focused discussion about energy in Canada .

"The poll clearly shows that many Canadians believe Canada is a global energy leader but that a greater number expect the country to grow into that role," said Steven Bright , Senior Advisor, Centre for Energy. "Meanwhile, when 59 per cent of respondents feel disconnected from decision making on energy policies, it suggests that the energy dialogue in Canada should include more Canadians. What we're seeing in the survey is that this dialogue is a blend of personal interest, public engagement and national ambition."

The survey results also indicate that a large majority of Canadians (73 per cent) consider the energy sector to be personally important to them and they are willing to do their part to improve energy efficiency.

    
    -   68 per cent would participate in an energy efficiency program
    -   48 per cent would do so to save money on energy bills
    -   35 per cent would do so to reduce greenhouse gases
    

"Canadians understand the connections linking energy efficiency, saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Bright. "This is good news for policy makers who want to create and foster energy efficiency programs in their respective jurisdictions. There is clearly demand for such programs."

The survey also assessed Canadians' awareness of the broader energy sector with mixed results. Examples include:

    
    -   62 per cent correctly identified Canada as a net exporter of energy
    -   34 per cent correctly identified wind power as the largest source of
        renewable electricity in Canada
    -   28 per cent correctly identified Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick as
        the only provinces with nuclear power generation
    -   23 per cent correctly identified Canada as ranking second place for
        global crude oil reserves
    

"The results about the energy literacy of Canadians are not entirely surprising," said Bright. "Our typical energy experience comes from corner gas stations, home heating and overhead lighting. But given the complexities of the energy sector itself, it's encouraging that Canadians know as much as they do about this sector."

"With broader public engagement and increased energy literacy among its citizens, Canada can indeed be a global leader in what is a strategic sector of our economy."

About the Canadian Centre for Energy Information

Founded in 2002, the Centre for Energy is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the energy literacy of Canadians. The Centre for Energy has developed a reputation for creating and distributing factual, relevant information on Canada's energy system, including crude oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, thermal, hydro, biomass, wind, solar, hydrogen and fuel cell and geothermal energy. Its partners include member associations representing all the energy sectors featured on its site, www.centreforenergy.com, plus a range of public and private sector organizations.

The Centre for Energy supports a bias-balanced discussion on energy as it believes that an informed public better understands and supports energy policies, makes better business decisions related to energy, chooses careers in energy, invests in energy and uses energy wisely.

About the survey

From September 9 to September 10, 2009 , Angus Reid Strategies conducted an online survey among 1,003 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error - which measures sampling variability - is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a representative sample.

For further information: or to schedule an interview, please contact: Daorcey Le Bray, NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]; Jamie Jo Alton, NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]