Annual Public Opinion Research Measures 2022

For more information on this report, please contact Canada Energy Regulator at:
Sarah.Kiley@cer-rec.gc.ca

Canada Energy Regulator – Annual Public Opinion Research Measures 2022
Final report

This public opinion research report presents the results of quantitative and qualitative research conducted by Environics on behalf of the Canada Energy Regulator. The quantitative research was conducted online and by telephone with the general population, from January 19 to February 7, 2022, and the qualitative research was conducted from February 8 to 10, 2022.

This publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only. Prior written permission must be obtained from Canada Energy Regulator. For more information on this report, please contact the Canada Energy Regulator at: Sarah.Kiley@cer-rec.gc.ca

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre nom Mesures de recherche annuelle sur l’opinion publique de 2022

Executive summary

1. Background and objectives

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) oversees oil and gas pipelines and electrical powerlines that cross a national, provincial or territorial border. The organization makes decisions in the public interest about energy projects affecting Canadians.

The CER commissioned its third annual tracking study in early 2022. The CER intends to use this study to track Canadians’ views on whether it operates transparently, and if it shares information to create awareness of and confidence in, its work and regulatory processes. The CER will use the feedback from this survey to inform improvements to its Communications Program and to ensure the program is fully aligned with the Government of Canada’s Communications Policy.

2. Methodology

Environics Research surveyed 1,008 Canadian adults (aged 18 years and older) between January 19 to February 7, 2022. The sample included 906 Canadians from the provinces who are members of an online panel. To reach Canadians in the northern territories, Environics completed 102 telephone interviews using industry-standard random-digit-dialling techniques. Both surveys used the same questionnaire, with the telephone version adapted slightly for verbal delivery.

The data were statistically weighted by age, gender and region, to ensure the sample is reflective of the population according to the most recently available Census information.

Target Group	Proportion of Population	Target (Quota)	Actual Unweighted	Actual Weighted*
Total	100%	1,000	1,008	1,008
Atlantic	7%	100	99	67
Quebec	23%	200	210	234
Ontario	38%	200	206	386
MB/SK	7%	100	94	69
Alberta	11%	150	146	117
BC	14%	150	151	134
Territories	<1%	100	102	2

More information about the methodology for this survey is included in Appendix A.

The qualitative phase consisted of a two-day online community. Participants were screened during the quantitative survey and a selection of respondents were invited to participate in the online bulletin board community. The bulletin boards required input from participants on two separate days and the process was over a three-day window, from February 8-10, 2022. A total of 113 Canadian adults from across the country participated (88 in English and 25 in French) and each participant was given an honorarium of $100. Since participants were screened, the qualitative community received a demographic mix of gender, age, education levels, income levels and region. The detailed methodology and participant profiles are presented in Appendix B of this report.

3. Cost of research

4. Key findings

Canadians’ confidence in CER remains steady, at a good level, especially in relation to ensuring companies comply with regulations, ensuring public safety and making decisions based on scientific evidence. Belief that the CER acts in the public interest and increases global competitiveness have rebounded slightly, after declining in 2021 from 2020 levels. Most Canadians continue to view the CER as an expert in its field: three in four this year say the term “expert” at least somewhat describes the CER.

After increasing slightly between 2020 and 2021, unaided awareness of the CER held steady this year; the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) is still not a top-of-mind name among Canadians, and no one organization is top of mind. Eight in ten cannot think of the name of the organization responsible for the CER’s mandate without prompting. Aided awareness of the “Canada Energy Regulator” stands at one in three, down slightly from prior years.

Consistent with 2020 and 2021, among those who have heard of the CER, three in ten (33%) indicate they are familiar with it (score 7 to 10 on a 10-point familiarity scale). Familiarity with each of CER’s specific functions is up this year, from about one in four last year to approximately four in ten now. Many Canadians continue to express interest in knowing more about the CER: two in three are at least moderately interested in learning more about the CER itself, and about six in ten have modest interest in learning about each of its main functions.

Awareness of energy projects is down substantially this year, from about six in ten in 2021, roughly one in three now report having heard or seen information recently about existing or intended pipeline or powerline projects. Television remains the most cited source for this information, followed at some distance by daily newspapers, radio and social media. As in past years, government is most often mentioned as the source of this information, followed by environmental groups; one in six (up from one in ten) believe the Canada Energy Regulator was the source of this information.

The results suggest some participants understand the intent of the CER mission, describing it as regulating industry, while respecting the environment and Indigenous communities, and ensuring safety. Other respondents, however, interpret the mission to mean that the CER has a literal role in the delivery of energy to Canadians and related activities.

Upon reviewing the CER’s vision, more participants considered it achievable than not. The commitment to build relationships with Indigenous people garnered the most attention, followed by sustainability. A few participants also commented on the CER’s challenge of balancing different interests.

The most common interpretation of the CER’s trust and confidence priority has to do with transparency and the related concepts of openness and honesty. Other less often mentioned themes include doing what is best for Canadians and working to build trust and confidence with the public.

After reviewing the CER’s competitiveness priority, several responses indicated that participants were not thinking about this as competitiveness stemming from a transparent and predictable regulatory process, although some did recognize this.

Participants provided a variety of interpretations as to what data and digital innovation means. Some responded that this reflected CER moving into the digital age. Others interpreted this function in relation to public engagement and increased transparency. Some participants also mentioned more readily available information about energy usage and related matters.

Participants interpreted the CER’s Reconciliation priority as building or repairing relationships, respecting the land and water, and seeking permission. A few participants connected this to consultation and involvement in planning, while others mentioned education of staff.

The participants were also asked about their level of interest in learning more about each of the CER priorities and what specifically they wish to know more about. Those who are interested in trust and confidence want to learn how communications will be handled, who is involved in engagement and where, how the workforce will be empowered, and what steps are being taken to build relationships with Indigenous peoples. Participants also want to learn how the CER plans to implement this priority and what accountability measures will be in place.

In relation to the competitiveness priority, participants would like insight into the types of innovations being made, how CER will contribute to the transition to a low carbon economy, and what progress is being made. Other participants are interested in knowing if enough low carbon energy can be produced to meet domestic demand and if that can be done while keeping prices low.

In terms of data and digital innovation, participants expressed interest in the initiatives CER has implemented to improve digital innovation and access to data; what are CER’s plans to encourage people to engage; and how the information will be made easy for regular people to understand and access. Others are interested in what statistics and variables are being tracked and trended and how the CER plans to show Canadians and the world how Canada is leading in energy.

In response to the CER’s Reconciliation priority, participants were interested in detail about how this will be approached, the processes, and plans as well as updates on progress and results. There is interest in how the views of Indigenous peoples will be taken into account, and in hearing Indigenous perspectives on how the CER has engaged with them. Others expressed interest in learning about the history of Indigenous peoples across Canada, their rights, and what the UN Declaration consists of.

In terms of format for the types of information requested, participants suggested a range of options including, videos, text-based information (simple bullet point sheet or PowerPoint), infographics, social media posts, websites and emails. Livestreaming of meetings or consultations was also suggested by a small number. Participants are seeking clarity and detail, but also want information that is easy to digest.

5. Political neutrality statement and contact information

I hereby certify as a senior officer of Environics that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders.

Tony Coulson
Group Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs
Environics Research Group
tony.coulson@environics.ca
613-699-6882

Supplier name : Environics Research Group
PWGSC contract number: 84084-210186/001/CY
Original contract date: 2021-12-29
For more information, contact Sarah.Kiley@cer-rec.gc.ca