Montreal, Quebec, Saguenay, Rouyn-Noranda – The lack of social license for the GNL Québec project continues to grow as a new Léger poll conducted across the province from March 19 to March 21th reveals that 52% of Quebecers are against the project, up from 46% in November 2020. This represents a statistically significant jump of 6 points in just four months.

Respondents were asked the same question as in November 2020: “The GNL Québec/Gazoduq project is a project that aims to export gas from Western Canada that would be transported by pipeline across Quebec from Abitibi to the Saguenay, and then shipped overseas by ships, which would pass over the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River. Are you in favour or against this project?” Today, only 6% report feeling “very favourable” to the project, which is a statistically significant drop. In comparison, 28% of Quebecers report feeling “very unfavorable” to GNL Québec, a statistically significant increase since November. Opposition to the project rises to 56% in the regions and among francophones, and 59% among 18-34 year olds. In addition, awareness of the project has increased significantly, with 42% of Quebecers having heard of the project, up from 31% in November.

According to the groups that commissioned the poll, “On the eve of the release of the environmental assessment report (Bureau d’audience publique sur l’environnement – BAPE), there is no doubt that support for GNL Québec continues to melt away and that the project does not meet the criteria of social license. The survey results also show that the more people know about the project, the more they are opposed to it. The Legault government must take note of this and categorically reject GNL Québec”.

The groups point out that in addition to the very telling results of this latest poll, just last week the Quebec Liberal Party joined the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire in opposing the LNG exportation project. All Quebec opposition parties, who represent 58% of the electorate, are now saying no to GNL Québec. This is in addition to more than 121,000 signatories of the “GNL Non Merci!” petition and the fact that the BAPE (environmental assessment) had a record number of participants during the public consultations on this project: more than 2,500 briefs were submitted, 91% of which were against the project on the basis of social, environmental and economic concerns.

Since the first survey on the project was conducted from November 20 to 22, 2020, a lot of new information has been revealed about the GNL Québec project, including its significant consumption of hydroelectricity. The groups felt it was important to commission a new survey to find out if this information has had an impact on the project’s awareness and support among the Quebec population.

Methodology

The Léger poll was commissioned by Coalition Fjord, the Rouyn-Noranda Anti-Pipeline Coalition (CAP-RN), Eau Secours, Équiterre, the David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace, Nature Québec and the Regroupement vigilance hydrocarbures Québec (RVHQ). The maximum margin of error for a sample of 1,002 respondents is ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

To consult the complete version, click here (French only).

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For additional information, please contact:

Marie-Christine Fiset, Greenpeace Canada
514-972-6316; [email protected] 

Adrien Guibert-Barthez, spokesperson for Coalition Fjord
(418) 376-3371; [email protected] 

Anthony Côté Leduc, media relation, Équiterre
514-605-2000; [email protected]

Alice-Anne Simard, Nature Québec
418-803-4992; [email protected]

Rébecca Pétrin, Eau Secours 
514-246-9075; [email protected]